🏛️ Political Science
PUC Arts · after SSLC (Class 10)
Duration
3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)
Entrance Exam
CUET / 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.
- 1Foundation · 1 Year🎓 SSLC — Class 10Finish Class 10. Your marks decide which colleges and subject combinations are open to you next.
- 2Stream Selection · 2 Years📚 PUC — ArtsTwo years of pre-university study in the Arts stream. This is where you prepare for the entrance exam.
- 3Entrance Exam · Exam year📝 CUET / college meritEntry to BA Political Science is through CUET / college merit. CUET 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.
- 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.
- 5First Job · After graduating💼 Policy AnalystCommon starting roles include Policy Analyst, Legislative Assistant, Political Consultant.
- 6Higher Studies · Optional🎯 MA Political Science (2Y)You can continue with MA Political Science (2Y), MA Public Policy (2Y), PhD.
- 7Research · 3–5 Years (PhD)🔬 MA → PhDMA → PhD · Think-tank research (ORF, CPR) · UGC-NET Political Science
- 8Government Route · Exam-based🏛️ IAS / IPS / IFSIAS / IPS / IFS via UPSC · KAS via KPSC · Parliamentary staff · Ministry of External Affairs roles
- 9Entrepreneurship · Any time🚀 Political consultancyPolitical consultancy · Policy advisory firm · Advocacy organisation · Campaign strategy consultancy
- 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.
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
- ›IAS / IPS / IFS via UPSC
- ›KAS via KPSC
- ›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