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LPU Online MA Political Science (2026)
The LPU Online MA Political Science is a 2-year, 4-semester, UGC-DEB approved postgraduate program covering political theory, Indian political institutions, international relations, and public policy, alongside Generic Electives (GE) that let students shape a personalized area of specialization.
Backed by UGC-DEB approval, AICTE recognition, NAAC A++ accreditation, and WES certification for further study abroad, the Online MA Political Science also comes with placement support and access to LPU's broader campus ecosystem — co-curricular events, wellbeing workshops, and entrepreneurial incubation support — even for students studying entirely online.
The LPU Online MA Political Science is a 2-year (4-semester) postgraduate program covering political theory, Indian political institutions and thought, international relations, diplomacy, public policy, and comparative political analysis, alongside Generic Electives (GE) from Semester 2 onward. This structure lets students build both conceptual depth and a personalized area of specialization.
Semester 1 covers International Relations-Theory and Practice, Political Theory, Political Institutions in India, Fundamentals of Research, and Fundamentals of Information Technology. Semester 2 continues with Indian Political Thought, Public Policy and Governance in India, Diplomacy in Modern World, and Teaching Aptitude, alongside the first Generic Elective. From Semester 3 onward, students take Comparative Political Analysis, India's Foreign Policy, and Peace and Conflict Resolution, choosing a Term Paper or elective in place of one slot, culminating in a Dissertation or further electives in Semester 4 alongside Political Processes in India.
The program is delivered through LPU's online Learning Management System (LMS) with weekend LIVE lectures by top faculty, Master Classes by experts, flexible online exams, and placement support — giving working professionals and fresh graduates a flexible route into a postgraduate Political Science degree without relocating to campus.
Full LPU Campus Ecosystem, Even Online
Online MA Political Science students get access to co-curricular and cultural events, wellbeing workshops, world-class academic and research infrastructure, and entrepreneurial incubation support — not just the coursework.
LPU Online is UGC-DEB approved and holds a NAAC A++ Grade, alongside AICTE recognition and WES certification for graduates pursuing further study in Canada and the USA.
Online Degree Acceptance
Degrees earned through UGC-DEB approved online programs are treated as equivalent to regular on-campus degrees for employment, government exams, and further studies.
Value of the Online MA Political Science
An LPU Online MA Political Science holds the same academic standing as a regular on-campus MA — valid for jobs, government exams, teaching eligibility routes (including NET), and further studies such as a Ph.D.
Other Programs at LPU Online
MA Political Science sits alongside BA, MA History, MBA, and MCA at LPU Online. See the full LPU Online Courses List if you're comparing programs.
| Program Name | Master of Arts in Political Science (MA Political Science) |
| University | LPU Online |
| Level | Postgraduate Degree |
| Duration | 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| Mode | 100% Online — Weekend LIVE & Recorded Classes, LMS |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree (any stream) from a recognized university |
| Entrance Exam | Not required — direct admission |
| Actual Fee | ₹20,000/semester |
| Applicable Fee | ₹16,400/semester, with current 20% Student Grant (valid until 25th July '26) |
| No-Cost EMI | Approximately ₹3,644/month |
| Registration Fee | One-time, non-refundable registration fee of ₹1,000 payable during admission (excluded from the fee above) |
| Approvals | UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC A++, WES |
| Program Structure | Political Science core across Semesters 1–4, plus 4 Generic Electives from Semester 2 onward |
| Applicable Region | Fee structure shown applies to applicants from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan |
| Career Services | Resume building, mock interviews, internship support, hiring-partner network |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor's degree (BA or equivalent) from a recognized university, in any stream |
| Stream Restrictions | None — open to Arts, Commerce, and Science graduates alike |
| Entrance Exam | Not required |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory — open to fresh graduates and working professionals |
| ABC ID / DEB ID | Required at the time of admission, as per UGC guidelines |
The MA Political Science syllabus spans 4 semesters, covering political theory, Indian political institutions, international relations, and public policy, along with Generic Electives (GE) from Semester 2 onward.
| Course Code | Subject |
|---|---|
| EPOL552 | International Relations-Theory and Practice |
| EPOL524 | Political Theory |
| EPOL525 | Political Institutions in India |
| EGEN530 | Fundamentals of Research |
| ECAP145 | Fundamentals of Information Technology |
| Course Code | Subject |
|---|---|
| EPOL528 | Indian Political Thought |
| EPOL527 | Public Policy and Governance in India |
| EPOL529 | Diplomacy in Modern World |
| GE-I | Generic Elective I* |
| ESSC501 | Teaching Aptitude |
| Course Code | Subject |
|---|---|
| EPOL650 | Comparative Political Analysis |
| EPOL618 | India's Foreign Policy |
| EPOL633 | Peace and Conflict Resolution |
| GE-II | Generic Elective II* |
| ESSC608 | Term Paper, OR 1 course from the GE Basket 1 which is not chosen as Generic Elective (GE) |
| Course Code | Subject |
|---|---|
| EPOL617 | Political Processes in India |
| GE-III | Generic Elective III* |
| GE-IV | Generic Elective IV* |
| EPOL692 | Dissertation**, OR next 2 courses from GE Basket 2 & 3 of the same area from which the course was chosen in lieu of Term Paper in Semester 3 |
The LPU Online MA Political Science carries an actual fee of ₹20,000 per semester, which comes down to ₹16,400 per semester with the current 20% Student Grant, valid until 25th July '26. A No-Cost EMI option is also available at roughly ₹3,644/month. See the full, regularly updated numbers on our dedicated LPU Online Fees page.
Actual Fee
Applicable Fee 20% off
| Actual Fee (per semester) | ₹20,000 |
| Student Grant Applied | 20% (valid until 25th July '26) |
| Applicable Fee (per semester) | ₹16,400 |
| Total Across 4 Semesters | ₹65,600 (at the current per-semester applicable fee) |
| Registration Fee | One-time, non-refundable ₹1,000, payable during the admission process (excluded from the fee above) |
| No-Cost EMI | ₹3,644/month — spreads the semester fee into smaller monthly payments |
| Payment Modes | Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking, Education Loan |
- The fee indicated above is applicable to applicants from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
- The fee indicated above includes an examination fee per semester, and excludes the initial non-refundable registration fee of ₹1,000.
For a comparison across every LPU Online program, see our overall LPU Online Fees page.
Admission to the LPU Online MA Political Science is fully online, with no entrance exam required. See our full LPU Online Admission walkthrough for the complete sequence.
For the exact deadline calendar for your intended intake, see our LPU Online Admission Last Date guide.
Fee Refund Policy — LPU Online MA Political Science
LPU Online follows the UGC Refund Policy. A 100% refund is allowed if admission is cancelled 15 or more days before the last admission date. A 90% refund applies for cancellation made less than 15 days before the last date. An 80% refund applies if cancelled within 15 days after the last admission date. A 50% refund applies for cancellations between 15–30 days after the last date. No refund is provided after 30 days. The registration fee is not refunded, as per UGC norms. See the full breakdown in the UGC Policies tab.
Term-end examinations at LPU Online are conducted online through specialized proctoring software, combining internal assessments with a final assessment. Final exams are typically time-constrained and conducted remotely, with no negative marking for wrong answers. For the exact structure and technical requirements, see our detailed LPU Online Exam Pattern guide.
| Exam Mode | Online Proctored — monitored LIVE through AI tools for a hassle-free experience |
| Internal Assessment | Assignments and case studies submitted through the LMS portal |
| End-Term Examination | Conducted online at the end of each semester |
| Datesheet | Draw your own datesheet — flexible exam scheduling based on personal preferences |
| Negative Marking | None — wrong answers carry no penalty |
| Exam Fee | Included in the fee figures above |
| Progress Monitoring | Personalized dashboard for real-time tracking of academic progress |
| Student Support | Relationship Management System for suggestions, requests, queries, and feedback on academic or administrative matters |
400+ hours of recorded video content for anytime-anywhere access.
Self-evaluation of knowledge and skills after every unit.
Personalized dashboard for real-time tracking.
For your suggestions, requests, queries, and feedback on academic or administrative matters.
Real-time interactive LIVE sessions held on weekends.
Flexible exam schedule based on personal preferences.
An MA Political Science prepares graduates for roles in public relations, political consulting, policy analysis, and political research, and also lays the groundwork for a Ph.D., NET/JRF, or competitive government and civil-services exams.
| Job Role | Jobs Available | Avg. Experience | Avg. Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Relation | 10000+ | 1–6 yrs | ₹5.2L – ₹9.3L |
| Political Consultant | 8000+ | 1–6 yrs | ₹6L – ₹9.3L |
| Policy Analyst | 2500+ | 2–6 yrs | ₹6L – ₹7.6L |
| Political Scientist | 2000+ | 1–4 yrs | ₹7L – ₹8L |
Disclaimer: these figures represent aggregated data and trends observed in the industry and do not guarantee specific job placement or salary outcomes for individual students. The actual number of job openings and salary packages may vary based on factors such as market conditions, individual skills, and job performance.
LPU Online provides placement support — resume building, mock interviews, internship support, and access to a hiring-partner network for job search after graduation. For the university-wide placement picture, see our general LPU Online Placement guide.
LPU Online operates under the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the statutory body that governs higher education in India, including online and distance learning. Two UGC policies are especially relevant to prospective MA Political Science students: the fee refund policy, and the equivalence of online degrees with regular degrees.
UGC requires all universities offering online and distance programs to follow a standardized, prorated refund schedule if a student withdraws after admission. LPU Online follows this UGC-mandated schedule in full.
| 15+ days before the last admission date | 100% refund of fees paid |
| Less than 15 days before the last admission date | 90% refund of fees paid |
| Within 15 days after the last admission date | 80% refund of fees paid |
| 15–30 days after the last admission date | 50% refund of fees paid |
| More than 30 days after the last admission date | No refund |
| Registration Fee | Non-refundable in all cases, as per UGC norms |
Yes. As per Regulation 22 of the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, degrees and postgraduate diplomas awarded through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode and/or Online mode by UGC-recognized Higher Educational Institutions are treated as fully equivalent to the corresponding degrees offered through conventional (on-campus) mode.
In other words, an MA Political Science earned online from LPU carries the same legal standing as a regular, on-campus MA — for employment, government exams, teaching eligibility, and further studies — provided the program is offered under a UGC-DEB approved online mode. For the specific question of whether these degrees hold up for public-sector roles, see Is LPU Online Degree Valid for Government Jobs, and for international recognition, see Is LPU Online Degree Valid Abroad.
As per UGC guidelines under the National Education Policy 2020, every student enrolling in the LPU Online MA Political Science must generate an ABC ID (Academic Bank of Credits ID) — a unique 12-digit number that stores and tracks a student's academic credits across recognized institutions. It functions like a digital academic passport that stays with the student for life, enabling smooth credit transfer if they change institutions or pursue further studies later.
| Mobile Number | Aadhaar-linked mobile number for DigiLocker verification |
| Personal Details | Full name, date of birth, gender (usually auto-filled from DigiLocker) |
| Institution Details | Institution name and enrolment details (Lovely Professional University) |
| Email ID | Valid email for confirmation and future communication |
| Enrolment / Admission Number | If requested by the portal |
The most common hiccups are a delayed OTP while logging into DigiLocker (usually a network issue that resolves in a few minutes) and a name mismatch between Aadhaar and university admission records due to spelling variations. If your name doesn't match, correct it via Aadhaar's official update process first, then relink your ABC ID. The ABC portal can also be slower during peak admission season — trying again during non-peak hours, such as early morning, usually helps.
Flexibility
LPU Online offers a flexible learning environment suitable for fresh graduates and working professionals balancing other commitments with a postgraduate degree.
Personalized Curriculum
Choose your own Generic Elective baskets to build a degree aligned with your interests in policy, governance, or international relations.
Recognized Approvals
UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC A++, and WES certification back the degree's validity for jobs, teaching eligibility, and further studies.
Placement Support
Resume building, mock interviews, internship support, and access to a hiring-partner network.
Affordable, Flexible Fees
₹16,400/semester with the current Student Grant, or a No-Cost EMI at roughly ₹3,644/month.
Pathway to a Ph.D.
An MA Political Science sets up a natural progression into a Ph.D., NET/JRF, or civil services and other competitive exam preparation.
Opportunity to participate in various co-curricular, extra-curricular, cultural, and sports events organized by the University.
Access to world-class infrastructure including sports, academics, and research facilities.
Workshops aimed at enhancing mental wellbeing and work-life balance.
Entrepreneurial avenues including incubation centres providing technology support.
An Online MA Political Science is suitable for learners who want depth in political theory, governance, and international affairs alongside strong analytical and research skills. It benefits:
- BA graduates planning a career in teaching, public policy, or the civil services
- Working professionals looking to formalize a postgraduate degree alongside a job
- Aspirants preparing for NET/JRF, Ph.D. admissions, or UPSC and state civil services
- Career changers looking to build stronger research, writing, and analytical skills
- International students exploring political and policy careers via a WES-certified degree
Learners of an Online MA Political Science develop a strong mix of foundational and specialized skills, including:
- Command of political theory, Indian political institutions, and political thought
- Research methodology and academic writing through Fundamentals of Research and a Term Paper/Dissertation
- International relations, diplomacy, and foreign policy analysis
- Public policy formulation and governance analysis
- Teaching aptitude for classroom and academic careers
- Comparative political analysis and conflict resolution skills
Final Verdict: The LPU Online MA Political Science offers a comprehensive, research-driven route into political theory, Indian institutions, and international relations — with Generic Electives to add breadth. Backed by UGC-DEB approval, NAAC A++ accreditation, and AICTE/WES recognition, and priced at ₹16,400/semester (or roughly ₹3,644/month on No-Cost EMI), it gives graduates and working professionals alike a credible, affordable path into public relations, political consulting, policy analysis, teaching, or a future Ph.D.