The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Political Science [BAPSH] at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is a 148-credit undergraduate degree programme offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode through the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The programme provides comprehensive coverage of political theory, Indian government and politics, comparative government, international relations, global politics, classical and modern political philosophy, and Indian political thought. With a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, the programme fee is Rs. 5,300 per year, making it one of the most affordable Honours degrees in Political Science in India. Available in both English and Hindi medium, it is highly popular among UPSC aspirants, students interested in international relations, and those seeking careers in politics, law, journalism, and civil services. No entrance exam is required for admission.
Admission for the January 2026 cycle is currently ongoing, with the last date for fresh registration extended to 30th March 2026. Applications can be submitted at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The July 2026 admission cycle is expected to open tentatively in May 2026.
Distance Mode Study Centres:
IGNOU BAPSH is offered exclusively in ODL (distance) mode. The programme has one of the most extensive networks of study centres across India, available at IGNOU Regional Centres in Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizwal, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneswar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (1, 2, 3), Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Noida, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Chandigarh, Panaji, Bhagalpur, Vatakara, Visakhapatnam, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, and Angul. The programme is also available at hundreds of Government Degree Colleges, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) centres, and Government ITIs across the country. Students should verify the updated list on the official IGNOU Samarth portal.
Key Points
- BAPSH is a 148-credit Honours programme with 14 Core Courses, 4 Discipline Specific Electives, 2 Ability Enhancement Compulsory Courses, 2 Skill Enhancement Courses, and 2 Generic Electives.
- Core courses cover Political Theory, Constitutional Government and Democracy in India, Comparative Government, International Relations, Global Politics, Classical and Modern Political Philosophy, and Indian Political Thought.
- Elective courses include State Politics in India, Gandhi and the Contemporary World, Democracy and Development in Northeast India, and Conflict Resolution and Peace Building.
- Available in English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to learners across India.
- Particularly valuable for UPSC aspirants (Political Science and International Relations as UPSC optional), law students, journalists, and those interested in governance and international affairs.
- Students can complete the degree in a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years.
- IGNOU degrees are recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are valid for government and private sector employment.
- No entrance exam is required; admission is direct based on 10+2 eligibility.
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