IGNOU MA Political Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Maidan Garhi, New DelhiOpen UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers the Master of Arts in Political Science (programme code: MPS) through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode, under the School of Social Sciences (SOSS). The 2-year programme is a 64-credit course that provides an in-depth understanding of political phenomena at national, regional, and international levels, with options to specialise in Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Indian Government and Politics. With a total programme fee of Rs. 16,000, no entrance exam, and the flexibility to complete the degree over a maximum of 5 years, the MPS programme is highly popular among UPSC/civil services aspirants, working professionals, and those seeking NET/SET eligibility. The programme is available in both English and Hindi medium and is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Admission for the January 2026 cycle is currently ongoing. The last date for submission of the application form (for ODL programmes) has been extended to 30th March 2026. Students who have already enrolled for January 2026 can submit their Term-End Examination (TEE) forms for June 2026 TEE between 10th March 2026 and 10th April 2026 (without late fee), and between 11th April 2026 and 24th April 2026 (with a late fee of Rs. 1,100).

Distance Mode Study Centres:

The MPS programme is offered exclusively in Distance/ODL mode. IGNOU has an extensive network of study centres across India. Key regional centres offering this programme include:

  • Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu, Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizawl, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneshwar, Khanna, Jaipur, Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi (multiple centres), Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Madurai, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Raghunathganj, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Angul, Bhagalpur, Jodhpur, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Vatakara, Vishakhapatnam, and many more.

Students must select a study centre at the time of admission. A full list of study centres is available on the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Key Points

  • No entrance exam required; admission is direct based on eligibility.
  • Available in both English and Hindi medium, making it accessible to a wider student base.
  • Flexible duration: minimum 2 years, maximum 5 years to complete the programme.
  • Exams are held twice a year (June and December TEE), giving students the option to appear at their own pace.
  • Assessment is based on 30% weightage for assignments and 70% for Term-End Examinations (TEE).
  • The MPS syllabus closely aligns with the UPSC Civil Services Examination Political Science optional paper, making it a popular choice for UPSC aspirants.
  • The degree is recognised by AIU and is valid for government jobs, NET/SET eligibility, and further academic pursuits.
  • IGNOU has been accredited with A++ grade by NAAC.
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IGNOU MPS Fees

The MPS programme at IGNOU is one of the most affordable postgraduate Political Science programmes in India. The total programme fee is Rs. 16,000 for the full 2-year course, payable at Rs. 8,000 per year. This includes the programme fee, registration fee, and development fee. Exam fees are charged separately at the time of TEE form submission and are not included in the programme fee.

Fee Components

Fee ComponentYear 1 (Rs.)Year 2 (Rs.)Total (Rs.)
Programme/Tuition Fee7,5007,50015,000
Registration Fee (one-time)300-300
Development Fee200200400
Study Material (printed, optional)IncludedIncludedIncluded
Examination Fee (per course/paper)As applicableAs applicable~200 per paper
Total Fees (excl. exam fee)8,0007,70015,700
Total Fees (incl. registration)8,3007,70016,000
  • The registration fee of Rs. 300 is a one-time, non-refundable charge.
  • Development fee is Rs. 200 per year.
  • Students opting for soft copy (e-SLM) of study material instead of printed material may be eligible for a partial fee refund if they cancel admission before confirmation.
  • An amount equivalent to 15% of the programme fee (subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2,000) will be deducted if cancellation is requested after confirmation of admission.
  • No refund is admissible after 60 days from the closing date of admissions.
  • Fee can be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
  • There is no hostel facility at IGNOU headquarters; hostel is not mandatory.
  • No EMI option is officially available; fee is paid year-wise at the time of re-registration.

IGNOU MPS Admission 2026

Admission to the MPS programme at IGNOU is straightforward and merit-based, with no entrance examination. The January 2026 admission cycle is currently open, with the last date extended to 30th March 2026. Students admitted in the January 2026 cycle will be eligible to appear for the June 2026 Term-End Examination. The next admission cycle (July 2026) is expected to open around June 2026, based on previous year patterns.

IGNOU MPS Admission and Examination Dates

EventDate
January 2026 Admission Cycle OpensDecember 16, 2025
Last Date for Fresh Admission (January 2026 ODL)March 30, 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (without late fee)March 10, 2026 - April 10, 2026
June 2026 TEE Exam Form Submission (with late fee of Rs. 1,100)April 11, 2026 - April 24, 2026
June 2026 TEE Hall Ticket ReleaseMay 2026 (tentative)
June 2026 Term-End ExaminationJune 1, 2026 - July 15, 2026
July 2026 Admission Cycle Opens (tentative)June 2026
Last Date for July 2026 Admission (tentative)September/October 2026
December 2026 TEE (tentative)December 2026

Note: IGNOU does not conduct any entrance examination for the MPS programme. No external exam dates are applicable.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A Bachelor's degree or higher from a recognised university in any discipline is required.
  • There is no minimum percentage requirement specified for general category students.
  • There is no upper age limit for admission.

Admission Process

  • Visit the IGNOU Online Admission Portal: ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in
  • Click on 'New Registration' and complete the registration process using your own email ID and mobile number (OTP verification required).
  • Log in and select the MPS programme from the list of available programmes.
  • Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and programme details.
  • Select your preferred medium of study (English or Hindi).
  • Upload scanned copies of required documents: photograph, signature, educational qualification certificates, and category certificate (if applicable).
  • Pay the programme fee online via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.
  • Select your preferred study centre from the available list.
  • Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for future reference.
  • Study material will be dispatched to the registered address after confirmation of admission.

IGNOU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 14 Reviews

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is praised for its supportive and helpful faculty, maintaining a student-to-faculty ratio of about 50:1. Faculty members assist with assignments, offer self-prepared notes, and resolve student issues promptly. Exams occur biannually in January and June, with around 75% of students passing, supported by a fair marking scheme. The student population is evenly divided between males and females. IGNOU offers programs and certificates that boost career prospects.

The fee structure for master's programs varies with course selection and study material preference. Annual fees typically range from 6,000 to 8,200 INR, with the total cost for a two-year program around 16,000 INR or more. Additional costs include examination fees (200 INR per subject) and registration fees. Opting for hardcopy study materials increases fees, while softcopy options lower them to about 7,400 INR per year. IGNOU does not offer external scholarships but provides internal ones for financially disadvantaged students.

The fee structure is affordable, with no significant yearly increases, and the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme offers around 10,000 INR for eligible students.

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IGNOU MPS Scholarships 2026

IGNOU offers several scholarship and fee concession options for eligible students enrolled in the MPS programme. Given the already affordable fee structure, these scholarships provide additional financial relief to deserving students. SC/ST students and economically weaker sections are the primary beneficiaries, and students can also apply for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) after confirmation of admission.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / SchemeEligibilityBenefitHow to Apply
IGNOU Fee Concession for SC/ST StudentsSC/ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annumUp to 50% fee concession on programme feeApply through Regional Centre; submit caste and income certificate
Fee Exemption for Jail InmatesStudents enrolled from jail/correctional facilitiesFull exemption from programme fee and registration fee (exam fee and re-registration fee applicable after release)Through Regional Centre/Jail authorities
Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minorities (NSP)Minority community students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum; minimum 50% in previous examRs. 20,000 per year (course fee + maintenance allowance)Apply online at scholarships.gov.in
Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with DisabilitiesStudents with 40%+ disability; family income below Rs. 6 lakh per annumFull tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + maintenance allowance + book allowance + device allowanceApply online at scholarships.gov.in
Top Class Education Scheme for SC StudentsSC students admitted under general category seats; family income below Rs. 8 lakh per annumFull tuition fee (up to Rs. 2 lakh/year) + living and book allowancesApply via Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment portal
State Government ScholarshipsVaries by state; SC/ST/OBC/EWS studentsVaries by state schemeApply through respective state scholarship portals
  • A student can avail only one scholarship at a time.
  • Scholarship forms must be certified by the Regional Director at the respective IGNOU Regional Centre before submission.
  • Application deadlines vary by scheme; students should check the National Scholarship Portal and their respective state portals for current deadlines.
  • IGNOU also directs eligible students to apply for Government of India scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal after confirmation of admission.

IGNOU MPS FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans. Yes, the MPS programme is widely regarded as one of the best choices for UPSC aspirants who want to pursue Political Science as their optional subject. The IGNOU MPS syllabus covers Political Theory, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Indian Government and Politics, which closely aligns with the UPSC Civil Services Examination Political Science optional paper. Many successful UPSC candidates have pursued MPS from IGNOU simultaneously with their civil services preparation, as the flexible ODL format allows them to study at their own pace.

Ques. Can I pursue IGNOU MPS while working or preparing for competitive exams?

Ans. Absolutely. The MPS programme is offered in distance/ODL mode with no mandatory daily attendance. You study using IGNOU's self-learning material, submit assignments, and appear for Term-End Examinations (held twice a year in June and December). This makes it ideal for working professionals, government employees, and competitive exam aspirants who need a flexible postgraduate degree.

Ques. Is the IGNOU MA Political Science degree valid for government jobs and NET/SET eligibility?

Ans. Yes. The IGNOU MPS degree is recognised by all member institutions of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is valid for government jobs requiring a postgraduate degree. It is also accepted for UGC-NET/SET eligibility, enabling graduates to become Assistant Professors or qualify for JRF. IGNOU's A++ NAAC accreditation further strengthens the degree's recognition.

Ques. What is the course structure of IGNOU MPS? What subjects are covered?

Ans. The MPS programme is a 64-credit programme. In Year 1, students study four compulsory courses: MPS-1 (Political Theory), MPS-2 (International Relations: Theory and Problems), MPS-3 (India: Democracy and Development), and MPS-4 (Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends). In Year 2, students choose optional courses (32 credits) from areas such as Western Political Thought, Social and Political Thought in Modern India, State and Society in Africa, Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Movements and Politics in India, State Politics in India, India and the World, State and Society in Latin America, Canada: Politics and Society, The European Union in World Affairs, and others.

Ques. How are marks calculated in IGNOU MPS? What is the passing criteria?

Ans. The final marks are calculated as: 30% from Assignments + 70% from Term-End Examination (TEE). You need to score a minimum of 40% in TEE and 40% overall (combined) to pass each course. Assignments must be submitted before the TEE to be eligible to appear for the exam. Scoring well in assignments (aim for 85+/100) significantly boosts your overall percentage.

Ques. What career options are available after IGNOU MA Political Science?

Ans. Graduates of IGNOU MPS can pursue a wide range of careers. Popular options include: qualifying UGC-NET/SET to become an Assistant Professor or Lecturer in Political Science; appearing for UPSC Civil Services Examination (with Political Science as optional); applying for state PSC examinations; working in think tanks, NGOs, or policy research organisations; pursuing PhD in Political Science; working in journalism, media, or public policy; and applying for government jobs in administrative services, foreign services, and defence services where a postgraduate degree is required.

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IGNOU: 1 Answered Question

Is selective IGNOU BA and MA political science sufficient for political science optional in UPSC?

Prithviraj DebbarmaMCA from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) (Graduated -2010)

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. 

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JANVI MARAPE
JANVI MARAPE
2.2
Reviewed on Sep 4, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

Fees and Financial Aid:

In the first year of my programme I paid ?8200.In which, programme fee was ?7700 developmental fees was ?200 registration fees was ?300 In the current year i.e second year I pas ? 6545. Hnece the total fees of my course is ?14745. This is bacause I belong to ST category and I avail for printed sources which gave a discount of 15%. Otherwise the fees is generally ?15400 for Master of Arts (Political Science). As it is a Open Distance Learning Programme there are no scholarship as of now.
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Umang Rathour
3.8Helpful
Reviewed on Mar 13, 2025(Enrolled 2023)

Fees and Financial Aid:

My course fees was 7000/- yearly and i don't have any idea if there is any scolership facility or not. Every exam time it charges extra for the exam fees, right now this university is not increasing yrealy fees, and every year we have to pay
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Numeer
Numeer
3.2Helpful
Reviewed on Feb 6, 2025(Enrolled 2023)

Fees and Financial Aid:

The year wise fees i paid is around ?8000/-. It includes all other charges like tuition fees caution fees registration fees admission fees development fees lab fees and other compulsory charges during the course completion other batsmates had to pay different fees according to the course they had chosen the scholarship we get is prime ministers scholarship scheme and it is around 10000. Overall the course is greatly affordable for everyone.
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College Ninja
3.2Helpful
Reviewed on Jan 21, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fees structure of masters in political science at IGNOU is around 8200 including hardcopy of study materials. But if you choose soft copy of study materials then the fees will reduce around 7400. It is upon you which you want to choose. The fees structure will very on subjects you choose for masters. IGNOU does not provide any external scholarship scheme because it is a distance education. But IGNOU itself provide various scholarships for weaker section of the society.
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AVANTIKA YADAV
AVANTIKA YADAV
2.3Helpful
Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025(Enrolled 2023)

Fees and Financial Aid:

7700 for masters with books and it's good for open college or distance learning Ignou fee without books are 6545 per year. Anf you have to pay for year there are 3 year validity you can select January or July batch
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Shivam kuamr
Shivam kuamr
3.6Helpful
Reviewed on Jan 13, 2025(Enrolled 2024)

Fees and Financial Aid:

I am a student of Masters in Political science . I took admission in IGNOU 2024 my session is 24-26 .i charged 8200 per yeae including books of my course.. I belong to general category thats why i don't get any scholarship or subsidy in my fees.
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Fakir Sameer usman
5.0
Reviewed on Dec 24, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

Fees and Financial Aid:

1st year feers is about 6400 2nd year fees about 7000 Exam fees are different from the fees it is quite affordable for master in arts from top open university and fees structure is uniform and there is no other fees taken
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Simran kaur
Simran kaur
5.0
Reviewed on Dec 23, 2024(Enrolled 2024)

Fees and Financial Aid:

I paid my IGNOU fees of 6000 rupees per year. Right now I am in first year. I didn't get any scholarships and financial aid that are available to students because, My father is in CISF. But I am trying to pay my next year fee by myself.
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Kaushiki patel
Kaushiki patel
4.5
Reviewed on Oct 18, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

Fees and Financial Aid:

Ignou first year I paid 75000 inr admission fee along with a registeration fee of 300 inr examination fee is 200 per paper inr I paid 8000 admission fee in 2 nd year I have to pay 250 for my original degree during convocation
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Shivani Dahiya Dahiya
Shivani Dahiya Dahiya
4.5Helpful
Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024(Enrolled 2022)

Fees and Financial Aid:

The detailed fee structure is 8000 per year. I paid 2 times. Apart from that we also have to pay exam fee for rs. 200 as per subject. I paid without books, if i take book then i will approx 10,000 .
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