MA Political Science: Subjects, Entrance Exam Syllabus, List of Courses

The curriculum for MA Political Science involves certain core courses which revolve around fundamental concepts related to political science. The electives focus on specialized areas of political science. Apart from the core subjects and electives students are also required to either submit a project report or a dissertation on a topic related to and relevant to contemporary political scenarios.

MA Political Science: Scheme of Assessment

The final assessment for MA Political Science depends upon the performance in the final year/semester theory examination and internal assessment. The weightage for the assessments criteria is given below:

Assessment Criteria Weightage
Theory Examination 70
Internal Assessment 30
Dissertation 100

MA Political Science: Syllabus

The syllabus for MA Political Science across Indian universities has similar courses as part of their core courses. Electives too do not vary much on accounts of course content. Here we have jotted down an overview of the syllabus for MA Political Science.

Name of Course Topics covered Objective
Debates in Political Theory Introduction to Political Theory The Political context Debates on freedom Debates on Equality Debates on Justice Debates on Rights Debates on Democratic Political Community This course helps to build an understanding of the nature and value of theories attached to politics.
Comparative Political Analysis Comparative Methods and Approaches Nationalism and Anti-colonial struggle Development Theories of the State State Forms Comparative Party System Social Movements and Revolution This paper helps in developing perspectives about different forms of politics and the ways in which de-centering has informed the field in significant ways.
Politics in India Approaches to Indian Politics State in India Class, Caste, Tribe and Gender Religion, Region and Language Development Process Political Parties Elections Social Movements: Objectives, methods, impact and the recent trend This course focuses on the various aspects of society and how it informs political practices in India.
Theories of International Relations Introduction to International Relations Structural Realism Indian Tradition: Kautilya’s Realpolitique Chinese Tradition European Schools of Thought The English School Neo-Liberalism Institutionalism Alternative Approaches in International Relations Problems of the ‘International’ In this course, students learn the diverse traditions of theoretical approaches to International Relations as they have evolved around the world.
Administrative Theory Evolution of the discipline of Public Administration Contextual Public Administration Contemporary Development – New Public Administration, New Public management Grassroots governance: alternative perspectives This course focuses on the theories which have helped shape the modern system of governance and their related structures and processes.
Themes in Indian Political Thought Perspectives Theories and practices of Knowledge State Conception and Forms of communities Critical Perspectives on Indian Society The Nation in Indian Political Thought This course introduces students to the tradition of Indian Political Thought.
Interpreting Modern India Conceptions of the Modern Perspectives on Justice and Social Transformation Conceptions of Nationalism Development and its Critiques Community, Civil Society and Public Sphere Debates on Globalization This course aims to introduce students about the state of affairs in contemporary India and where the country might head to.
Democracy and Political Institutions in India Theory and Practice of the Indian Constitution Functioning and inter-relationship of governmental institutions Federalism Local Self Government Rule of law, rights, and accountability This course aims at studying contemporary institutional forms and practices and their historical evolution.
Political Philosophy Introduction Plato : The Republic Aristotle : The Politics Machiavelli : The Prince Hobbes : Leviathan Locke : The Second Treatise of Government Rousseau : Social Contract Kant: Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals Hegel : Philosophy of Right Marx and Engels Nietzsche : On the Genealogy of Morals Mary Wollstonecraft : A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Mahatma Gandhi : Hind Swaraj This course aims to introduce students to western classical texts which have helped in the formation and evolution of political thought.
Themes in World Politics and International Political Economy Concepts of State, Power, Security, Culture and Religion International Political Economy Environmental Governance Global Challenges and Movements This course introduces certain key concepts to understand world politics and the fundamental theoretical issues in the field of International Political Economy.
Ethics and Politics The Nature of Ethical Reasoning Sexual, Racist and Caste Discrimination Poverty and Hunger Environment Militarization Corruption Free Speech Secularism, Tolerance and Minority Rights The Morality of Representation Ethics and Politics of the Family Ethics and the Profession Ethics is an important part of political thought and this course analyses the relationship between Ethical issues and Politics.
Critical Traditions in Political Theory Marxism Feminism Dalit Bahujan Critique Critical Race Theory Ecological Critique This course aims to highlight the primary challenges to mainstream liberal theory.
Social Movements and Revolution Revolution – French, Bolshevik, Chinese Ideology and politics of liberation in Asia and Africa Social Movements Ideology and Politics of Social Movement This course focuses on the various aspects of different movements and highlights the conceptual, historical and empirical distinction between revolutions and social movements.
Parties, Elections and Political Process in India Typology of Political parties in India Party System in India The changing profile of National Political Parties Regional and State Parties Elections in India Non-Party Movements, NGOs and their impact on Political Parties and Representation of People’s Interests This course talks about the party system and the electoral system in the Indian context.
Development Process and Politics in India Theory of the Developmental State Concept of Development Socio-Economic Problems and Issues of Development in India Development Strategy and State Policies in India Shift in Developmental Policies and Strategies Critiques of Development and Alternative Models Democracy, Decision Making and Development Non-Governmental Initiatives, and People’s Empowerment This course is about the theory and practice of development issues in India.
Democracy and Human Rights in India The concept of Human Rights National and International Dimensions of Human Rights and Constitutional-Legal Framework in India Human rights: Issues and challenges Impact on deprived groups State response to Human rights Civil Society and Human Rights NHRC and Other Commission Reports Democracy, development and Human Rights in India Human Rights is an integral part of political thought and this course highlights the interrelationship between the two disciplines.
Public Institutions and Governance Theoretical Issues: State and Development: Historical and Comparative Experiences From Structural Adjustment to Good Governance Public Finance & Management Administrative and Civil Service Reform Practical Issues in India State Governments: Comparative Development Performance Public Enterprises in India Social Development: Issues, Policies & Challenge Infrastructure Development: Issues, Policies & Challenges This course focuses on various issues relating to public enterprises and their function. It also examines administrative and civil services reforms and their results.
Rural-Urban Development and Local Government in India Understanding the 'rural’ and 'urban' in India. What is Development? Institutional framework for Rural & Urban Development Planning Rural Development: Approaches, Policies, and Programmes: Planning Urban Development: Approaches, Policies and Programs Decentralization, and Local Governments Devolution and functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions Devolution and functioning of Urban Local Bodies People's Participation in Rural-Urban Development: Role of NGO's and Citizen Groups This course examines the local forms of government in the rural and urban setting both before and after the constitution of Panchayati Raj Institution.
Environment and Development: Policy and Politics Environment and Development: An Introduction State, Market, Community & Local Governments Policy, Politics, Institutions, and Resources Poverty-Environment Inter-linkages Caste, Gender and Environment Global Commons and Initiatives Environmental and Social Movements This course focuses on various problems, policies, and practices in the context of the environment in India.
Public Policy What is Public Policy? Public Policy: Concept and Dimension Approaches to Public Policy Studies Public Policy Process Public Policy Analysis: Quantitative and Qualitative Models Public Policy Research and Development Public Policy in India: Models and Trends Globalization. MNCs, WTO, and Development in India Impact of Public Policies on Socio-Economic Development and Nation Building in India This course aims to explain the nature and need of public policy in theoretical, financial and practical context.

Master of Arts [MA] (Political Science) : 7 answered questions

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Ques. How can I qualify the JNU entrance exam in MA in Politics with International Relations?

● Top Answer By Juhi Pathak on 18 Oct 21

Ans. In order to prepare efficiently for JNU entrance, you will need to study smart. Read the editorial and international relations page of Hindu and IE to get a fair idea of what is happening around the globe. Read Arihant’s guide for JNU entrance for IR. Rafer to some good magazines like Frontline, EPW, etc.  The exam of JNU Entrance would be computer-based and Multiple Choice Questions would be asked. Make sure to study the following crucial portion of International Relations (IR).  Period of Cold War Treaties like CTBT, NPT, Kyoto Protocol United Nations Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF, WB, WTO) Environment Topics like Climate Change Indian Foreign Policy US Foreign Policy The majority of questions in entrance will be from History, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Indian Politics, and Contemporary Issues. Here are some books that you can refer to.  The Globalization of World Politics - Baylis, Smith & Owens. India after Gandhi - Ramachandra Guha International Relations in the 21st Century - Pushpesh Pant Global Politics - Andrew Heywood Just prepare thoroughly without losing faith in yourself and be honest with your studies and you shall do well in your entrance. Read more
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Ques. What is the syllabus of an entrance test held by DU for an MA in Political Science?

● Top Answer By Seenu Jha on 06 Oct 22

Ans. The entrance exam for MA Political Science at DU was once a descriptive exam, but recently it has changed to an objective one. Exam format:  100 questions with answer choices(MCQs) 120 minutes is the total duration of the exam. Total marks are 400. Marks per correct answer is 4. General cutoff is 40 (on average) Negative grades for DU MA political science: yes (1/4) It is advised to read the references below: Gupta DU political science book. (Be cautious of answers) Objective political science by Gupta. The syllabus is divided into six areas: Political theory Political thought (western and Indian) Comparative politics and political analysis Indian constitution Public administration International relations In terms of preparation, self-study is the best method of learning.Read more
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Ques. What are the career prospects after completing an M.A. in political science/international relations from JNU?

● Top Answer By Abinash Mathur on 15 Jul 22

Ans. You will have many career opportunities after completing an MA in Political Science or International Relations from JNU. You can get jobs in embassies, think tanks, academics, and journalism. You can become a diplomate as well. If you are pursuing Political Science, it will be better to do a Ph.D. after. It will give you the option to become International Political Scientist.  These two courses will also help you prepare for Civil service and SSC as well. Read more
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Ques. Is selective IGNOU BA and MA political science sufficient for political science optional in UPSC?

● Top Answer By Prithviraj Debbarma on 21 Oct 22

Ans. One of my sister's acquaintances wrote 2016 mains with PSIR optional. She had been working in an IT firm till a month before prelims and had been preparing for a year before.  Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is quite fast. The study material provided by IGNOU is good for selective reading for specific topics like Justice, Equality, MN Roy, Sri Aurobindo, Theory of international relations etc. But she had an engineering background and revealed that the notes were not of premium quality. Paper 1- Part A Gauba is not bad. But you will need to read the book more than one time to interpret it completely. The information has been divided unevenly within the chapters making it a difficult read. One more good source is Shubra Ranjan's notes. They summarise the points in the UPSC syllabus format. Paper 1- Part B Complete Laxmikant.Read the interpretations given by famous analysts, their viewpoints, case laws and their history and the politics that played behind the evolution of laws and how and why the judiciary evolved. Again for this look into Shubra Ranjan notes. For the remaining topics look into Oxford publications. Paper 2- part A For this part, the best recommendation is Heywood’s global politics. It’s easy to understand and very well written. Combine this with IGNOU notes and you will get good results. You can also go through questions given in Baylis and Smith because sometimes they appear verbatim and quoting the exact same viewpoint can get you some extra points. Paper 2 - Part B Conduct internet research and make your own notes on the topics included in the syllabus. Then go through commentaries on IDSA /IPCS websites. This will give you a better understanding of and current status of relations. Once you are done with all the study materials, focus on developing the vocabulary for PSIR. Make sure your answers are evenly distributed with theories, quotes, facts, years etc. Practice writing answers a lot. Read more
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Ques. How is MA in political science through IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Rajat Galar on 02 Nov 22

Ans. IGNOU is a central university making it one of the best universities that offer distance education. The study materials are excellent and are written by top-notch professors from various universities. They are written and proofread by professors from renowned universities like JNU and IITs.  Before this, they used to provide books by well-known authors. But when the syllabus was revamped they started printing the study material written by very experienced professors from well-known universities. People prefer these study materials for other competitive exams also. If you cannot go for a regular program, an MA in political science through IGNOU is the best option.Read more
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