Clear Career

🏛️ Political Science

PUC Arts · after SSLC (Class 10)

Duration

3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)

Entrance Exam

/ college merit

Degree

BA Political Science

Job Roles

7 mapped

What it costs to get there

Indicative total tuition for the whole course in Karnataka

Government seat

₹15,000–50,000

about ₹10,833 a year

Private / management seat

₹1.5–5L

about ₹1.08L a year

Tuition for the full 3 years at a government or private college.

Fees change every year and differ by college — confirm with the college before paying. Scholarships can cover much of this.

Who can apply

Passed Class 12 in any stream.

How to apply

Class 12 merit or CUET UG. Many students pair this degree with UPSC or KPSC preparation, which needs a completed degree.

The journey, step by step

SSLC through to leadership.

  1. 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
  2. 2Stream Selection · 2 Years📚 — ArtsTwo years of pre-university study in the Arts stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
  3. 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 / college meritEntry to BA Political Science is through / college merit. UG is run by National Testing Agency (NTA) and leads to Central and participating universities for BA, B.Sc, B.Com and more. Dates change every year — always confirm on the conducting authority's official portal.
  4. 4Degree · 3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)📘 BA Political SciencePolitical Science: 3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP). You can specialise in International Relations, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, Political Theory and more.
  5. 5First Job · After graduating💼 Policy AnalystCommon starting roles include Policy Analyst, Legislative Assistant, Political Consultant.
  6. 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 MA Political Science (2Y)You can continue with MA Political Science (2Y), MA Public Policy (2Y), PhD.
  7. 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 MA → PhDMA → PhD · Think-tank research (ORF, CPR) · UGC-NET Political Science
  8. 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ / / / / via · via · Parliamentary staff · Ministry of External Affairs roles
  9. 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Political consultancyPolitical consultancy · Policy advisory firm · Advocacy organisation · Campaign strategy consultancy
  10. 10Leadership · Long term Secretary to GovernmentSecretary to Government · Head of Policy · Professor

Job roles and salary ranges

Salary figures are indicative annual ranges, not guarantees.

Policy AnalystEntry₹5–12L
Legislative AssistantMid₹4–10L
Political ConsultantMid₹5–15L
JournalistMid₹3–9L
Legislative ResearcherSenior₹5–12L
Election AnalystSenior₹5–12L
International Relations AnalystSenior₹6–15L

Higher studies

  • MA Political Science (2Y)
  • MA Public Policy (2Y)
  • PhD

Research routes

  • MA → PhD
  • Think-tank research (ORF, CPR)
  • UGC-NET Political Science

Government jobs

  • / / via
  • via
  • Parliamentary staff
  • Ministry of External Affairs roles

Start your own

  • Political consultancy
  • Policy advisory firm
  • Advocacy organisation
  • Campaign strategy consultancy

Senior roles later

  • Secretary to Government
  • Head of Policy
  • Professor

Specialisations

  • International Relations
  • Public Policy
  • Comparative Politics
  • Political Theory

Where it is taught

  • Delhi University
  • JNU New Delhi
  • Christ University Bengaluru
  • Bangalore University

Where these facts come from

UGC curriculum; UPSC Civil Services for administrative careers