10 Best Universities for MA Political Science in India

We have listed the best universities for MA Political Science in India 2026 with the latest rankings. 

Moreover, we have also included important details related to admission, seats, eligibility criteria and cut off with important links. 

MA Political Science course in India is one of the most popular courses in the Arts stream. 

That’s primarily due to opportunities available after the course. 

UPSC aspirants and other govt. exam aspirants usually opt for this course because it helps in their preparation. 

That’s why you often see many IAS and IPS officers, even SSC CGL toppers from MA Political Science degrees. 

Moreover, Political Science is also one of the top UPSC Mains subjects. 

In addition to this, you can make a career in media and newspaper, politics, liaisoning and other related areas after completing the course. 

Even though MA Political Science is available in IGNOU, it is important to complete this degree from India’s top university to make a lucrative career. 

This blog will come in handy for you to help you plan accordingly and select the best university for MA Political Science. 

At any point if you’ve any questions related to CUET PG Political Science or any university then feel free to use the comment box available at the end of the article. 

We at Learning Skills Institute offer India’s best and most comprehensive CUET PG Political Science course for online preparation. 

We’ve helped our students get admission in India’s top ranking universities including JNU, DU, Jamia, UoH and others. 

For more info get in touch with us on WhatsApp. 

1. Center for Political Studies – Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi

JNU has consistently been ranked 1st or 2nd on NIRF list in university category. 

As per the NIRF 2025, it is 2nd ranked in India after Indian Institute of Science. 

The Center of Political Studies under the School of Social Sciences, JNU offers MA Politics programme with specialization in International Relations. 

There are a total of 115 seats in MA Political Science at JNU as of 2026. 

Despite that, the competition level is extremely high as candidates from across India apply at JNU. 

Most of the time, JNU is on the top target list for India’s brightest candidates. 

The admission is offered on the basis of CUET PG Political Science test paper score. 

It has been a trend that the cut off for JNU MA Political Science goes up to 270 out of 300 for general category. 

The safe CUET PG Political Science score for JNU MA Political Science could be 230 for any chances of admission in the general category. 

Following are the important details of JNU MA Political Science: 

Admission: only on the basis of CUET PG Political Science HUQP18 test paper score. 

Total Seats: 115 (General – 47, SC – 17, ST – 09, OBC – 31, EWS 12 and PWD – 6).

Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree under 10+2+3 pattern of education with at least 50% marks in Social Sciences and Humanities. In the case of Science and Technology disciplines at least 55%. 

Cut Off Safe Range: 230-270. 

Official Website: https://www.jnu.ac.in/

Department: https://www.jnu.ac.in/sss/cps

2. Department of Political Science, University of Delhi (DU), Delhi

For so many years, Delhi University (DU) has been one of the top 5 ranked universities in India as per the NIRF. 

In 2025, NIRF ranked University of Delhi at 5th rank after Jamia Millia Islamia University. 

In our list, we are giving DU 2nd rank in best universities for MA Political Science list. 

The main reason behind is campus life, exposure, research, infrastructure, opportunities, and quality of education. 

The Department of Political Science in DU offers MA Political Science along with PhD in Political Science. 

The department building is relatively new due to which you will find spacious classrooms, dedicated library, and lively and green campus area.

There are a total of 768 seats in the DU MA Political Science course. 

And the admission is on the basis of the CUET PG Political Science test paper score. 

Though competition is high, you can expect to get admission at 200 marks out of 300 (General category) in CUET PG Political Science score. 

The lowest cut off had been 180-190 for general category, which again makes it easier for many to get admission. 

Following are the important details about DU MA Political Science:

Admission: only on the basis of CUET PG Political Science HUQP18 test paper score.

Total Seats: 768 (view here Delhi University MA Political Science seat matrix college-wise list)

Eligibility Criteria: admission is offered under two categories: 

C1: 3-Year or 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University. 

C2: 3-Year or 4-Year Bachelor’s (Hons.) Degree in Political Science from University of Delhi or 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree with Major or Minor in Political Science from University of Delhi. 

Cut Off Safe Range: 190-240

Official Website: https://www.du.ac.in/

Department: https://polscience.du.ac.in/

3. Department of Political Science, Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI), Delhi

JMI University is also one of the top universities in India that have consistently made it to the top 5 ranked universities year on year. 

According to NIRF 2025, Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) is ranked 4th under the university category after Manipal. 

The Department of Political Science at JMI offers MA Political Science course along with Ph.D., MA Public Administration, MA Human Rights and Duties, and BA (Hons.) Political Science. 

However, the most popular course is MA Political Science only among others. 

That’s why the competition to get admission in Jamia MA Political Science is also very high. 

Jamia Millia Islamia University is one of the participating universities in CUET PG 2026. 

But at this point it does not offer admission on the basis of CUET PG Political Science score to MA Political Science. 

That means, you will have to appear for the Jamia MA Political Science entrance exam and score high marks to secure a seat. 

There are only 42 seats, which makes it even more difficult unless you’re ranked among top 20 (in General category). 

Following are the important details about the Jamia MA Political Science:

Admission: on the basis of Jamia MA Political Science entrance exam. 

Total Seats: 42

Eligibility Criteria: 50% marks in BA (Hons.) in Political Science or BA with Political Science. Or 55% marks in any bachelor’s degree. 

Cut Off Safe Range: NA

Official Website: https://jmi.ac.in/

Department: https://jmi.ac.in/polscience

4. School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH), Hyderabad

If you are looking for a top ranking south Indian university with a large and green campus and top quality education, then University of Hyderabad could be your best bet. 

On NIRF 2025, Hyderabad University is listed at 18th rank in university category list.

The Hyderabad University is most popular for its lush green biodiversity spanning over 2300 acres within its campus. 

Apart from this, you will be getting high quality education as it is also one of the central universities that too top ranking one. 

Its School of Social Sciences, Department of Political Science offers MA Political Science including PhD in Political Science. 

The admission here is also on the basis of CUET PG Political Science test paper score.

However, seats are only 50, which makes it very difficult to secure a seat here. 

That’s why you may need something in the range of 230-40 to safely secure a seat here. 

Following are the details about Hyderabad University MA Political Science:

Admission: only on the basis of CUET PG Political Science HUQP18 test paper score.

Total Seats: 50

Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or Equivalent Grade in Social Sciences or Humanities subjects. Or 55% marks in any other subject.

Cut Off Safe Range: 220-40

Official Website: https://uohyd.ac.in/

Department: https://socialsciences.uohyd.ac.in/

5. Department of Political Science, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

On the NIRF 2025 university category list, BHU is ranked at 6th right after University of Delhi. 

If you’re looking for a university near Delhi with easier connectivity to other cities in UP and Haryana then BHU could be your best option. 

BHU has two large campuses, the north campus is around 1300 acres and south campus is 2300 acres. 

The Department of Political Science at BHU offers MA Political Science. 

Apart from this, the department also offers BA in Political Science, MA in Public Administration and Ph.D. in Political Science. 

There are around 120 seats at BHU Department of Political Science. 

Apart from this, BHU affiliated colleges offer more than 200 seats. 

The admission is only on the basis of CUET PG Political Science test paper score. 

You can say, the competition level is moderate, therefore any score above 200 will easily get admission in BHU. 

Following are the important details about BHU MA Political Science: 

Admission: only on the basis of CUET PG Political Science HUQP18 test paper score.

Total Seats: +300 (view BHU MA Political Science seats breakup college wise list here)

Eligibility Criteria: Any graduate under 10+2+3 pattern with minimum 50% aggregate score and political science as subject in all three years of undergraduation level. 50% of the seats are reserved for BHU students. 

Cut Off Safe Range: 180-230

Official Website: https://www.bhu.ac.in/

Department: click here to visit

6. Department of Political Science, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh

If you’re based in Punjab, looking for a top university, then Panjab University has to be on the top of your list. 

Panjab University is 35th ranked university in India and 3rd ranked in state university category as per NIRF 2025. 

The Department of Political Science at Panjab University offers MA in Political Science and Ph.D. in Political Science. 

As of now, total seats in PU MA Political Science are 60. 

The admission to MA Political Science at Panjab University is only on the basis of PU-CET (Common Entrance Test). 

Panjab University is not yet part of CUET PG participating universities. 

PU-CET MA Political Science is a subjective paper that means there are no MCQs like other entrance tests. 

Following are the important details about PU MA Political Science:

Admission: Merit and PU-CET

Total Seats: 60

Eligibility Criteria: Any graduate with 50% aggregate or 45% aggregate score with Political Science as subject in all three years.

Cut Off Safe Range: NA

Official Website: https://puchd.ac.in/

Department: https://politicalscience.puchd.ac.in/

7. Department of Politics and International Studies, Pondicherry University, Puducherry

As per the NIRF 2025 Pondicherry University is placed in the 151-200 band in overall category. 

Despite that, Pondicherry University is ranked 6th on our list. 

The main reason behind is the quality of education, research, further studies opportunities, and campus. 

The Department of Politics and International Studies at Pondicherry University offers course in MA Political Science. 

Apart from this, the department also offers BA (Hons.) Political Science, 5-Year integrated MA Political Science, MA Politics and International Relations, PG Diploma in Human Rights, PG Diploma in Industrial Relations and Labour Laws and Ph.D. in Politics and International Studies. 

If you’re looking for a nice and quaint city to pursue MA Political Science with a beach then Pondicherry University should be on your list. 

This university is based in Puducherry, which is one of the Union Territories in India. 

That automatically makes it easier for anyone in India to relocate here and study. 

Following are the important details about Pondicherry University MA Political Science:

Admission: only on the basis of CUET PG Political Science HUQP18 test paper score.

Total Seats: 50

Eligibility Criteria: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks.

Cut Off Safe Range: 200-230

Official Website: https://www.pondiuni.edu.in/

Department: click here to visit

8. Department of Political Science, Calcutta University (CU), Kolkata

According to NIRF 2025, Calcutta University is ranked 39th under university category. 

Moreover, on our list, we have ranked it 8th primarily due to high quality of education, infrastructure, research and student experience. 

The Department of Political Science at CU offers MA Political Science course along with Ph.D.

If you want to pursue MA Political Science in India’s cultural capital with rich history in literature and science then Calcutta University based in Kolkata should be on your list. 

As of now, CU is not part of CUET PG participating universities. 

Therefore, you will need to appear for the CU entrance exam for MA Political Science. 

There are a total of 265 seats up for grabs. 

However, 60% of the seats are reserved for Calcutta University students. 

Following are the important details about CU MA Political Science:

Admission: on the basis of CU MA Political Science entrance test only.

Total Seats: 235

Eligibility Criteria: BA Hons. in Political Science

Cut Off Safe Range: NA

Official Website: https://www.caluniv.ac.in/

Department: https://www.caluniv.ac.in/academic/Polsc.html

9. Department of Political Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SSPU), Pune

If you’re looking for a smart city with updated infrastructure that offers job opportunities and easier connectivity to Mumbai, then choose SPPU. 

Savitribai Phule Pune University is 56th ranked university in India and 11th in state university category as per NIRF 2025. 

The Department of Political Science at SPPU offers MA Political Science and Ph.D. in Political Science. 

As of now, there are only 60 seats in MA Political Science. 

In order to secure a seat here, you will need to appear for the SPPU entrance test. 

SPPU is not part of CUET PG, therefore your CUET PG Political Science scores will not be valid for admissions.

The SPPU MA Political Entrance test is MCQ based in which you will have to attempt 100 MCQs. 

The competition level is quite high as Pune is a popular metropolitan city that attracts students from across India and seats are quite few.  

Following are the important details about SPPU MA Political Science:

Admission: on the basis of SPPU MA Political Science entrance test score.

Total Seats: 60

Eligibility Criteria: Any bachelor’s degree with politics as special or major or a minor subject.

Cut Off Safe Range: NA

Official Website: https://beta.unipune.ac.in/

Department: click here to visit

10. Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata

If you’re from North-East and adjacent regions, and looking for a top ranking university near to your state then Jadavpur University is the best option available. 

According to NIRF 2025, Jadavpur University is the No. 1 ranked state university in India. 

It offers excellent education experience, research exposure, and opportunities after course completion. 

The Department of International Relations at Jadavpur University offers MA in Political Science with Specialization in International Relations. 

In addition, the department also offers BA in Political Science and Ph.D. in International Relations. 

The total intake for the Jadavpur University MA Political Science is 70. 

As of now, Jadavpur University is not part of CUET PG participating universities. 

Therefore, you will have to appear for the Jadavpur University MA Political Science entrance test. 

This entrance test is subjective in which one question will be essay type and the rest 4 questions will be short answer type questions. 

Following are the important details about JU MA Political Science with International Relations:

Admission: on the basis of JU MA Political Science entrance test.

Total Seats: 70

Eligibility Criteria: 3-Year BA (Hons.) degree in Political Science or Political Science as major subject with at least 55% marks. 

Cut Off Safe Range: NA

Official Website: https://jadavpuruniversity.in/

Department: https://jadavpuruniversity.in/academics/international-relations/

The list of top 10 best universities for MA Political Science in India ends here. 

If you’ve questions, feel free to us comment box.