Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Khallikote Unitary University (KUU), Berhampur, Odisha, offers the Master of Arts [MA] (Political Science) as a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme. The course is structured across four semesters and covers Political Theory, Indian Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Public Administration, and Research Methodology. It is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in civil services, teaching, journalism, public policy, or academic research. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 7,166 for the entire 2-year duration, making it one of the most affordable MA Political Science programmes in Odisha. Admission is through the CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) conducted by the Odisha Higher Education Department via the SAMS portal. The programme is highly popular among students aspiring for UPSC/OPSC civil services, as Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is one of the most chosen optional subjects in the UPSC Mains examination.

Admission for the 2026-27 academic session is through CPET 2026. The CPET 2026 registration began on February 27, 2026, and the entrance exam is scheduled from April 27 to May 10, 2026. The result is expected in July 2026, after which PG admissions will be conducted through the SAMS portal.

Key Points

The MA (Political Science) programme covers Political Theory (from Plato to contemporary thinkers), Indian Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Public Administration.
Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is one of the most popular and scoring optional subjects in UPSC Civil Services Mains, making this degree highly relevant for civil services aspirants.
Graduates are eligible to appear for UGC-NET (Political Science) to qualify for Assistant Professor positions in colleges and universities.
The programme includes a research component, preparing students for Ph.D in Political Science or careers in public policy and governance.
KUU's Department of Political Science has experienced faculty and a well-established academic tradition, with the university being one of the oldest institutions in Odisha.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Khallikote Unitary University Latest Updates and News

17 Apr, 2026 Odisha CPET 2026 subject-wise examination schedule is out. Exams from May 5 to 16. Hall tickets will be available to download from Apr 30, 2026. Read news!

KUU MA (Political Science) Fees

The MA (Political Science) at Khallikote Unitary University is among the most affordable postgraduate programmes in Odisha. The total fees for the entire 2-year programme are approximately Rs. 7,166, which includes admission fees, examination fees, and other charges. General category male students pay slightly higher fees than SC/ST and female students, who receive a fee concession as per university norms.

Fee Components

Fee Component	General (Boys) (INR)	SC/ST/Girls (INR)
Admission Fee (per year)	1,791	1,723
Examination Fee (per year)	1,792	1,792
Total Fees (2 Years)	7,166 (approx.)	7,030 (approx.)

Fees are subject to revision by the university for each academic session.
Hostel fee is Rs. 3,300 per year (optional, not mandatory for the course).
Caution money/security deposit (if any) is refundable at the time of leaving the institution.
Students are advised to verify the exact fee structure from the official KUU website or the SAMS Odisha portal at the time of admission.

KUU MA (Political Science) Admission 2026

Admission to the MA (Political Science) programme at Khallikote Unitary University is conducted through the CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) managed by the Odisha Higher Education Department via the SAMS portal (pg.samsodisha.gov.in). The CPET 2026 registration has already begun (February 27, 2026) and the exam is scheduled from April 27 to May 10, 2026. PG admissions will follow after the results are declared.

Important Dates

Event	Date
CPET 2026 Registration Start	February 27, 2026
CPET 2026 Registration End	March 15, 2026
CPET 2026 Admit Card	April 23, 2026
CPET 2026 Exam	April 27 - May 10, 2026
CPET 2026 Result	July 1, 2026 (Tentative)
PG Admission / Choice Locking	July 2026 (Tentative)
Seat Allotment and Admission	July/August 2026 (Tentative)
Classes Commence	August 2026 (Tentative)

Exam	Event	Date
CPET 2026	Registration Start	February 27, 2026
CPET 2026	Registration End	March 15, 2026
CPET 2026	Admit Card	April 23, 2026
CPET 2026	Exam Date	April 27 - May 10, 2026
CPET 2026	Result	July 1, 2026 (Tentative)

Note: CPET is the primary entrance exam for PG admissions at KUU. Candidates must apply through the SAMS PG portal (pg.samsodisha.gov.in). The exam is subject-specific; candidates appearing for MA Political Science must select Political Science as their subject.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree (BA with Political Science as a subject, or BA Hons. in Political Science) with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks (40% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates) from a recognised university.
Candidates must be domiciled in Odisha or meet the eligibility criteria specified by the SAMS Odisha portal.
Candidates from other streams with Political Science as a subject at graduation level may also be eligible; they should verify on the SAMS PG portal.

Admission Process

Register on the SAMS PG portal (pg.samsodisha.gov.in) and fill the Common Application Form (CAF) for CPET 2026.
Pay the application fee and download the admit card.
Appear for the CPET 2026 entrance examination in the Political Science subject.
After results, log in to the SAMS portal to lock preferences for PG institutions.
Seat allotment is done based on CPET score, social category, and preference order.
After allotment, confirm admission and pay fees online.
Report to KUU with original documents for admission formalities.
Documents required: Graduation mark sheets and certificates, caste certificate (if applicable), income certificate, Aadhaar card, passport-size photographs, and residence certificate.

KUU MA (Political Science) Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in the MA (Political Science) programme at Khallikote Unitary University can avail scholarships offered by the Odisha State Government and the Central Government. Given the already very low fee structure of the programme (Rs. 7,166 total), scholarships can provide significant additional financial support for living expenses and study materials. The university facilitates access to both state and national-level scholarships.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
e-Medhabruti - PG Merit	Odisha Higher Education Dept.	Rs. 15,000 per year	Merit-based; PG students in recognised colleges
Vyasakabi Fakirmohan Bhasabruti	Odisha Higher Education Dept.	Rs. 30,000 (one-time, PG)	Merit-based; Odia-medium students
Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana	Odisha Higher Education Dept.	Rs. 20,000 per year	Economically weaker students in PG programmes
Post Matric Scholarship	ST&SC and MBC Welfare Dept.	As per scheme guidelines	SC/ST/OBC students
National Scholarship for PG Studies (UGC)	UGC	Rs. 10,000 per year or Rs. 15,000 per month	First-time PG students under 30 in UGC-recognised full-time programmes
Banishree Scholarship	Social Security Dept., Odisha	As per course duration	Students with disabilities
Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana	Labour & ESI Dept., Odisha	As per course duration	Children of registered construction workers

Applications for Odisha state scholarships are submitted through the State Scholarship Portal (scholarship.odisha.gov.in).
Students must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance and 50% marks to remain eligible for most scholarships.
Scholarship deadlines vary each year; students should check the portal regularly for updated last dates.
The e-Medhabruti PG Merit scholarship (Rs. 15,000 per year) significantly exceeds the annual fee of the programme, effectively making the course free for merit students.

KUU MA (Political Science) FAQs

Ques. Is MA (Political Science) from KUU useful for UPSC? Is PSIR a good optional?

Ans. Yes, MA (Political Science) is one of the most relevant postgraduate degrees for UPSC preparation. Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) is consistently one of the most popular optional subjects in UPSC Civil Services Mains, chosen by thousands of candidates each year. The MA curriculum at KUU covers Political Theory, Indian Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations, which directly aligns with the UPSC PSIR optional syllabus. The programme provides the conceptual depth and analytical framework required to write high-scoring answers in the UPSC Mains examination.

Ques. What is the total fee for the 2-year MA (Political Science) at KUU?

Ans. The total fees for the 2-year programme are approximately Rs. 7,166 for General category male students. SC/ST and female students pay slightly less. This covers admission fees, examination fees, and other charges. Hostel fees (Rs. 3,300 per year) are additional and optional. The extremely low fee makes this one of the most affordable MA Political Science programmes in Odisha.

Ques. What are the career options after MA (Political Science) from KUU?

Ans. Career options include: (a) Civil services (UPSC/OPSC) with PSIR as optional; (b) College/University teaching after clearing UGC-NET (Political Science); (c) School teaching (after B.Ed); (d) Journalism and political commentary; (e) Public policy and governance roles in government and NGOs; (f) International organisations (UN, World Bank, etc.); (g) Research and think tanks; (h) Law (LLB) - Political Science provides a strong foundation for constitutional law; (i) Ph.D in Political Science for an academic career.

Ques. Is CPET mandatory for MA (Political Science) admission at KUU?

Ans. Yes, admission to MA (Political Science) at KUU is through the CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) conducted by the Odisha Higher Education Department. Candidates must register on the SAMS PG portal (pg.samsodisha.gov.in), appear for the CPET in the Political Science subject, and then apply for admission based on their CPET score. The CPET 2026 registration started on February 27, 2026, and the exam is scheduled from April 27 to May 10, 2026.

Ques. What is the difference between MA (Political Science) and MA (Public Administration)? Which is better for civil services?

Ans. MA (Political Science) focuses on political theory, comparative politics, and international relations, while MA (Public Administration) focuses on governance, administrative systems, and public policy implementation. For UPSC, both PSIR (Political Science and International Relations) and Public Administration are popular optional subjects. PSIR is generally considered more scoring and has a larger community of aspirants. For state civil services (OPSC), both are relevant. The choice depends on your interest and the optional subject you plan to choose for the examination.

Ques. Does KUU have a good Political Science department? What is the academic environment like?

Ans. KUU's Department of Political Science has a well-established academic tradition, with the university being one of the oldest institutions in Odisha (founded 1856). The department has experienced faculty with expertise in Indian politics, political theory, and international relations. The university's location in Berhampur, the commercial capital of southern Odisha, provides students with exposure to regional political dynamics. The department regularly organises seminars and guest lectures. Being a government university, the focus is on academic rigour, making it ideal for students preparing for competitive examinations or pursuing academic careers.