MA Political Science

What this degree is

MA Political Science is a two-year postgraduate degree that takes the foundations of undergraduate political study and extends them into a more specialised, theoretically and methodologically demanding engagement with politics as a discipline. Where a BA Political Science provides breadth — covering political theory, Indian politics, international relations, and comparative politics in roughly equal measure — the MA focuses on advanced theoretical frameworks, research methodology, and the capacity to conduct independent scholarly inquiry.

In India, the MA in Political Science is one of the most sought-after postgraduate social science degrees. It is offered at central universities (JNU, Delhi University, Hyderabad, Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University, Jadavpur), state universities, and a growing number of autonomous private institutions. The degree is closely associated with two distinct but not incompatible career aspirations: academic and research careers in political science, and preparation for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, where Political Science and International Relations is a popular optional subject in the Mains.

Internationally, the equivalent degree carries different labels: LSE awards an MSc in Political Science and Political Economy; Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) offers MA programmes in political science-adjacent fields; and Sciences Po Paris is perhaps the world’s most prestigious institution for postgraduate political science and public affairs study. The intellectual traditions differ significantly — Indian programmes tend to be text-based and theoretically driven; global programmes are often more empirically and methodologically focused, with stronger training in quantitative social science.

What students actually study

MA Political Science encompasses four main intellectual domains at the postgraduate level:

Political theory and philosophy. Advanced engagement with the history of political thought — from ancient and medieval traditions through early modern contract theory to twentieth-century liberalism (Rawls, Nozick), critical theory (Habermas, Frankfurt School), postcolonialism (Fanon, Said, Spivak), feminism, and Republican theory. At the MA level, students are expected to engage with primary texts analytically rather than summarily, and to situate thinkers within their intellectual and historical contexts. JNU’s Centre for Political Studies is particularly strong in political philosophy, with faculty working across analytic and continental traditions.

Indian politics, government, and public policy. The structure and functioning of Indian constitutional institutions — Parliament, executive, judiciary, federalism, elections, political parties, and civil society. At the MA level, students move beyond description toward explanation: why does India’s party system behave as it does? How have caste, religion, gender, and region shaped political mobilisation? What explains the functioning of Indian federalism in practice? Public policy in India — from welfare schemes to regulatory reform — forms an important applied component.

Comparative politics and political institutions. The comparative study of regimes — democratic, authoritarian, hybrid — and of institutions across jurisdictions. How do electoral systems shape party behaviour? What explains democratic backsliding? How do courts constrain executives? At the advanced level, students engage with the methodological debates in comparative politics: the relative merits of large-N statistical studies, qualitative comparative analysis, and case studies.

Research methods. At the MA level, research methodology receives systematic attention. Students learn qualitative research methods (ethnography, discourse analysis, archival research, interviews), quantitative methods (statistics, survey analysis), and the philosophical and epistemological debates that undergird them. The ability to design and conduct independent research is essential: most MA programmes culminate in a dissertation or research paper.

International relations. Although IR has its own MA degree (see MA International Relations), it remains a significant component of MA Political Science programmes, particularly in terms of IR theory — realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, postcolonialism — and India’s foreign policy. At JNU, the Centre for Political Studies explicitly covers comparative politics and international relations as one of three rubrics of the MA.

Typical curriculum and specialisations

JNU — Centre for Political Studies (CPS), School of Social Sciences:

JNU’s MA in Political Science at the Centre for Political Studies is the most prestigious MA Political Science programme in India. It is a two-year, four-semester programme with 64 credits. The structure requires 10 compulsory courses and 6 optional courses — of which at least 4 must be from within the Centre and 2 may be from outside.

The three rubrics of the CPS MA are: (1) political philosophy and history of ideas; (2) Indian government, politics and public policy; and (3) comparative politics and international relations. Compulsory courses cover each rubric. Optional courses include advanced topics in political theory, comparative constitutionalism, Indian political thought, feminist political theory, global justice, and subaltern politics.

The programme places special emphasis on the study of political developments in India and promotes theoretically informed analysis. All courses are lecture-based but require substantial tutorial and term paper writing. Assessment is split 50% between mid-semester assignments and 50% end-semester examination. Total seats: approximately 115 (including reserved categories). Tuition fees remain nominal — around ₹658 for the entire programme.

Admission is through CUET-PG, under test paper code HUQP18. The cutoff for the general category has historically ranged between 230–270 out of 300, making this one of the most competitive CUET-PG programmes in the social sciences.

Delhi University — Department of Political Science:

DU’s MA in Political Science is delivered primarily through affiliated colleges and the North Campus department. Under the NEP 2020 and CBCS frameworks, it covers political theory, Indian politics, comparative politics, and international relations. Admission is through CUET-PG. Competition is high for DU’s postgraduate Political Science seats.

University of Hyderabad — Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences:

Hyderabad Central University’s MA Political Science has approximately 50 seats, making it highly competitive (CUET-PG safe range approximately 220–240). The programme is known for its strong engagement with Indian political theory and postcolonial approaches to political science, reflecting the University’s broader intellectual tradition in critical social science.

South Asian University (SAU), New Delhi:

SAU, established by the SAARC member nations and located in New Delhi, offers an MA in Political Science at a genuinely international institution. Students from SAARC countries study together, and the curriculum draws on regional perspectives in political thought, governance, and IR. The multilateral character of SAU gives its Political Science MA a distinctive comparative and South Asian regional focus.

Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD):

AUD offers postgraduate programmes in political and social science with explicit attention to the ideas of B.R. Ambedkar — constitutional thought, Dalit politics, social justice, and democracy. The programme’s theoretical orientation is distinctive and provides a counterpoint to the more mainstream political science at JNU and DU.

International comparison — Sciences Po, Paris:

Sciences Po is perhaps the world’s most recognised institution for the postgraduate study of political science and public affairs. Its Master’s programmes in Political Science, Comparative Politics, and Public Policy are taught in French and English, and draw students globally. The curriculum is empirically rigorous, with strong quantitative social science methods. Sciences Po’s alumni dominate French and European public life.

LSE — MSc Political Science and Political Economy:

LSE’s MSc Political Science and Political Economy combines theoretical and methodological training in political science with the analytical tools of economics. Students take a compulsory course in applied statistical analysis alongside political science theory. This degree is designed for students who want the quantitative and methodological rigour of social science research alongside political theory and institutions.

Columbia University SIPA (New York):

Columbia SIPA offers MA programmes in international and public affairs. Students interested in the political science side of SIPA’s work can focus on conflict and security, human rights, or international political economy. Columbia’s location in New York provides access to the UN, major think tanks, and international organisations.

Skills this degree builds

• Advanced political analysis — the ability to apply competing theoretical frameworks to political phenomena critically rather than descriptively
• Research design — qualitative and quantitative methods for studying political questions rigorously
• Academic writing — producing argumentative, evidence-based analysis at postgraduate level
• Policy and institutional literacy — advanced understanding of how Indian and international political institutions function and how policy is made
• Independent scholarly inquiry — the capacity to identify research questions, review literature, collect and analyse data, and argue for conclusions
• UPSC subject mastery — for students pursuing the civil services, the MA provides deep preparation for Paper I and Paper II of the Political Science and International Relations optional

Who should consider this degree

MA Political Science suits students who:

• Want to pursue academic or research careers in political science, political theory, area studies, or international relations
• Are preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination with Political Science and International Relations as their optional subject
• Want to work in think tanks, research institutions, or policy organisations where analytical rigour in political analysis is valued
• Are considering an MPhil or PhD in Political Science, and need a rigorous postgraduate foundation
• Are interested in journalism, civil society, or public life and want a theoretically grounded education in politics

It may not suit students who primarily want applied professional skills — for policy application, an MA Public Policy may be more suitable; for diplomacy and global affairs, an MA International Relations may be more directly applicable.

How this degree differs from related degrees

MA Political Science vs BA Political Science: The BA Political Science is an undergraduate degree that provides broad coverage of political science’s main fields — enough to understand political systems, engage with key thinkers, and apply knowledge to UPSC preparation or entry-level research. The MA builds on this foundation by requiring theoretical depth, research methodology, and independent scholarly inquiry. At the MA level, students are expected to produce original analysis, not summaries. The BA provides civic and intellectual literacy; the MA develops disciplinary expertise.

MA Political Science vs MA International Relations: MA International Relations focuses specifically on the theory and practice of the international system — security studies, diplomacy, international law, foreign policy, and global governance. MA Political Science has a broader scope: it covers political theory, comparative politics, Indian politics, and public policy alongside IR. Students with a strong interest in Indian domestic politics, political philosophy, or comparative politics are better served by MA Political Science; those primarily interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, and global governance should consider MA International Relations.

MA Political Science vs MA Public Policy: MA Public Policy is an applied, professional-oriented degree designed to produce policy analysts and practitioners. It prioritises economics, quantitative evaluation methods, and practical governance skills. MA Political Science is academic and theoretical in orientation — it is primarily a research degree, not a professional degree. A student who wants to work as a policy analyst in a government ministry or think tank may find MA Public Policy more directly useful; a student who wants to teach, research, or pursue a PhD in political science should choose MA Political Science.

Admissions and eligibility patterns

Common entrance routes

Route	Details
GRE	Required or preferred for applications to international MA Political Science programmes including at LSE, Sciences Po, Columbia SIPA, and other global universities
College-specific	CUET-PG (NTA, test code HUQP18) for JNU, Delhi University, Hyderabad, and most central universities. JNU admission is merit-based on CUET-PG score plus deprivation points; no separate entrance test

Eligibility (India): Bachelor’s degree under the 10+2+3 pattern with at least 50% marks in Social Sciences or Humanities; 55% for Science and Technology graduates. All disciplines may apply, though Social Science backgrounds are naturally advantaged.

Eligibility (international programmes): Most UK and European MA programmes require a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. US programmes typically require a bachelor’s degree, GRE scores, statement of purpose, and academic recommendations. Sciences Po requires a strong application with evidence of analytical ability.

India vs global degree structure

In India: MA Political Science at public universities is typically a two-year, four-semester degree with 64 credits. The curriculum is predominantly classroom-based — lectures, tutorials, and term papers — with research methodology taught as part of the degree. The dissertation or research paper is usually optional at JNU (students can take additional coursework instead), though it is increasingly required at other universities under NEP 2020.

The cost structure is notable: JNU’s total programme fee is approximately ₹658 — among the most accessible postgraduate fees of any degree in the world. State universities are similarly nominal. Private universities charge considerably more.

In the UK: Postgraduate degrees in Political Science in the UK are predominantly one-year taught MSc programmes. LSE’s MSc Political Science and Political Economy is a full-year programme with three units of coursework plus a 10,000-word dissertation. The duration is shorter, the fees are substantially higher (international fees at LSE in 2025-26 exceed £30,000), and the training is more empirically and methodologically intensive.

In the USA: American MA/MS programmes in Political Science are typically two years and often serve as a stepping-stone to a PhD. Many programmes provide funding (teaching assistantships, research assistantships) to PhD students from the first year. At Columbia SIPA, the MA in International and Public Affairs takes two years with a more applied policy focus. Some US universities — notably those with PhD programmes — do not offer standalone MA Political Science degrees.

In France: Sciences Po’s MA programmes are two years, often combining a year in Paris with a year at a partner institution internationally. The dual degree option is common. Sciences Po’s curriculum combines political science, sociology, economics, and history in ways that are genuinely interdisciplinary.

Key distinction for Indian applicants: Students who want to work in India — in civil services, think tanks, journalism, or academia — are typically well served by a top Indian MA (JNU, Hyderabad, DU). Students who want to work in international organisations or pursue academic careers in globally competitive environments may benefit from a postgraduate degree abroad. The GRE is the standard qualification test for most international programme applications.

Careers after this degree

UPSC Civil Services (IAS/IPS/IFS): The most commonly cited Indian destination. Political Science and International Relations is one of the most popular UPSC Mains optional subjects. The MA provides thorough preparation for both the theoretical and applied dimensions of this optional. Many students at JNU and DU pursue the civil services as a primary career goal. The degree is neither necessary nor sufficient for UPSC success, but a rigorous MA provides substantive preparation for the General Studies papers as well as the optional.

Academic and research careers: University teaching and research in political science is a common trajectory from MA. Most academic positions require an MPhil or PhD; the MA is the standard entry to PhD programmes. JNU and Hyderabad CU are the two most prominent Indian PhD Political Science institutions. Internationally, a PhD from LSE, Oxford, Harvard, or Columbia leads to academic positions globally.

Think tanks and policy research: Institutions such as the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Observer Research Foundation (ORF), CSDS (Centre for the Study of Developing Societies), Lokniti, and the Carnegie India office regularly recruit MA Political Science graduates for research analyst positions. Most senior roles require PhD or equivalent.

Journalism and media: Political analysis, editorial journalism, fact-checking, and policy reporting. The combination of analytical depth and writing ability produced by the MA is directly relevant to quality journalism.

Development sector and NGOs: Research and advocacy roles at civil society organisations, international NGOs, and human rights organisations.

Law: Many MA Political Science graduates proceed to LLB (three-year after graduation) for careers in constitutional and administrative law.

Higher study and progression pathways

• MPhil/PhD in Political Science: JNU, Hyderabad CU, Delhi University (for India); LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia, Harvard (internationally). The MPhil was discontinued at JNU in 2021; the route from MA directly to PhD is now standard at most Indian universities.
• PhD in related fields: Area studies, South Asian studies, international relations, public administration.
• UPSC Civil Services: Directly after the MA. Political Science and International Relations as optional; General Studies benefit from the MA.
• LLB or LLM: For students interested in constitutional, administrative, or international law.
• International MA or postgraduate diplomas: Students seeking international exposure after an Indian MA may apply for a second MA at LSE, Sciences Po, or Columbia, or for specialised postgraduate programmes in diplomacy, development studies, or public policy.

Liberal arts and interdisciplinary context

Political Science at the postgraduate level remains genuinely interdisciplinary. The best MA programmes draw on political philosophy (from philosophy), institutional analysis (from economics and sociology), historical methodology (from history), and legal reasoning (from law). JNU’s tradition, in particular, reflects this cross-disciplinary ethos — the MA curriculum deliberately connects political processes with social structures and ideas, and encourages theoretically informed analysis of social reality.

Students interested in political economy benefit from combinations of Political Science and Economics. Students interested in political sociology find that the tools of both disciplines are necessary to understand how caste, gender, religion, and class shape Indian political life. The best postgraduate political science education treats disciplinary boundaries as starting points for inquiry, not constraints on it.

Indian institutional examples

Jawaharlal Nehru University — Centre for Political Studies (CPS), School of Social Sciences, New Delhi. The premier institution for MA Political Science in India. Known for rigorous political theory, strong faculty engagement, and a tradition of critical intellectual debate. CUET-PG required, 115 seats, highly competitive. Faculty work across political philosophy, Indian politics, comparative politics, and international relations. The campus culture is intellectually intense and politically engaged.

University of Hyderabad — Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences. A strong central university programme known for critical and postcolonial approaches to political science. Approximately 50 seats; very competitive CUET-PG scores required. The university’s location in Hyderabad, one of India’s major metropolitan centres, provides access to political and policy networks in South India.

Ambedkar University Delhi — School of Law, Governance and Citizenship. AUD’s postgraduate programmes in social science bring Ambedkarite thought — constitutionalism, anti-caste politics, social democracy — explicitly into the curriculum. A distinctive programme for students interested in the intersection of political theory, social justice, and Indian democracy.

South Asian University, New Delhi. An international university established under the SAARC framework, offering an MA in Political Science with a genuinely regional and international student body. The programme emphasises South Asian political comparisons and draws on perspectives from across the subcontinent.

Jawaharlal Nehru University — School of International Studies (SIS). Technically a separate programme (MA in Politics with specialisation in International Relations), SIS at JNU is one of the world’s most respected institutions for international relations and area studies. Students interested in the intersection of political science and international relations may consider SIS alongside CPS.

Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat. JGU’s school of government and public policy offers postgraduate programmes in public policy and governance with a political science foundation. The private university setting means higher fees but also smaller classes, stronger international faculty connections, and practical applied components.

International institutional examples

Sciences Po, Paris, France. One of the world’s most prestigious institutions for the postgraduate study of political science and public affairs. The MA in Political Science, MA in International Security, MA in Comparative Politics, and MA in Public Policy are all offered in English and draw students globally. Sciences Po’s alumni include presidents, foreign ministers, and senior officials across European and international institutions.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK. LSE’s MSc Political Science and Political Economy is a quantitatively rigorous one-year degree that combines political science theory and institutions with applied econometric methods. The MSc Political Analysis and MSc International Political Economy are additional options for students with specific methodological interests. LSE’s Government Department is one of the most research-productive in the world.

Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), New York, USA. Columbia SIPA’s MA in International and Public Affairs draws on Columbia’s political science, sociology, and international relations faculties. Students interested in security, human rights, political economy, or area studies find strong programme content. New York’s positioning as the seat of the UN adds unique professional opportunity.

University of Oxford — Department of Politics and International Relations, UK. Oxford’s MPhil in Politics (and related MPhils in International Relations and Comparative Government) are rigorous two-year degrees that combine coursework and dissertation. Oxford’s tutorial tradition and research environment are among the strongest in the world.

Related degrees and next reads

• BA Political Science — the undergraduate foundation; read this first if comparing UG and PG options
• MA International Relations — focused specifically on global affairs, diplomacy, and security
• MA Public Policy — the applied policy alternative to the academic MA Political Science
• MA Economics — relevant for students interested in political economy and the economics of governance
• MA Development Studies — relevant for students interested in development politics, Global South, and political economy of development

Sources Used

• JNU Centre for Political Studies — Admission page (jnu.ac.in)
• JNU School of International Studies — Programme overview (jnu.ac.in)
• JNU e-Prospectus 2026-27 PG Programmes (jnu.ac.in)
• Sciences Po Paris — Master’s programmes overview (sciencespo.fr)
• LSE MSc Political Science and Political Economy (lse.ac.uk)
• South Asian University — Faculty of Social Sciences (sau.int)
• UGC Curriculum and Credit Framework for UG Programmes 2022 (ugc.gov.in)
• University of Hyderabad — School of Social Sciences (uohyd.ac.in)