In India, a large number of students are doing their BA and MA in political science and they have a wide range of career options
Political science is a fascinating field that deals with the study of politics, government, and public policy. It explores the dynamics of power, authority, and governance at various levels, from local to global. In this blog, we will discuss the political science career options in India available to graduates or post-grads & how to build a successful career in this field.
Types of Roles and Jobs in Political Science
Political science graduates can pursue various roles and jobs in different sectors, including government, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and academia. Some of the most popular political science career paths include:
1. Civil Services: Political science graduates can appear for civil services examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to join prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).
2. Government Jobs: Political science graduates can find employment in various government departments, such as the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance.
3. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs working in areas like human rights, environment, and development often hire political science graduates to work in various capacities, such as project managers, researchers, and advocacy officers.
4. Private Sector: Political science graduates can find job opportunities in the private sector, especially in companies that deal with government relations, public policy, and regulatory affairs.
5. Academia: Those interested in teaching and research can pursue a career in academia, specializing in political science. They can work as professors, lecturers, or research fellows in universities, colleges, and research institutes.
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Political Science Future Career Scope in India
India offers a wide range of career opportunities for political science graduates. The government sector, in particular, provides numerous job openings for those who wish to serve the nation and contribute to public welfare. The following are some of the top career options after graduation in political science:
- Civil Services: As mentioned earlier, political science graduates can appear for UPSC examinations to join various Central Civil Services and Posts, including the IAS, IFS, IPS, and Central Services Group ‘A’ and ‘B’.
- State Civil Services: Political science graduates can also appear for state civil services examinations conducted by various state public service commissions to join state government services.
- Government Departments: Political science graduates can find employment in various government departments, such as the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance.
- Research Institutes: Various research institutes in India offer jobs after graduation in political science.
- Teaching Profession: After completion of a Master’s degree(MA) in political Science, you are eligible to teach in any higher secondary students. Further pursuing higher courses like qualifying National Eligibilty Test(NET) or PhD opens more opportunities in the Teaching profession.
- GeoPolitics Experts: New and trending career can be chosen.
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How to Build Your Career in Political Science
Political science is a fascinating field that deals with the study of politics, government, and public policy. It examines the processes and institutions that shape the lives of individuals and communities, both locally and globally. If you are interested in pursuing a career in political science, here are some steps you can take:
Earn your degree: A bachelor’s degree in political science or a related discipline is the minimum requirement for most careers in political science. A degree in political science will provide you with a strong foundation in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, and research methods.
Get an internship: An internship is a great way to gain practical experience and network with professionals in the field. You can look for internships in various sectors, such as government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, media, or advocacy groups.
Look for a paid political position: After gaining some experience and education, you can start looking for a paid political position that suits your qualifications and goals. There are many career options in political science, such as civil service, policy analysis, journalism, lobbying, diplomacy, teaching, or research.
Importance and Impact of Political Science
Political science is not only an academic discipline, but also a social practice that influences our society in various ways. Here are some reasons why political science is important and impactful:
Understand the world around us: Political science helps us understand the world around us. By studying political systems, institutions, and policies, we gain insight into how power operates and how decisions are made that affect our daily lives.
Develop critical thinking skills: Political science fosters critical thinking skills. It encourages us to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and think logically about complex issues.
Conclusion
Political science is a rewarding and relevant field of study that offers a multitude of exciting opportunities for students and professionals. By studying political science, we can enhance our understanding of the world, develop our critical thinking skills, and make a difference in society. Political science is also a diverse and dynamic field that allows us to explore our interests and passions, and to pursue our goals and aspirations.
Whether you want to pursue a career after BA political science, or a career after MA in political science can help you achieve your career objectives. There are many career options after BA political science and jobs after BA political science in various sectors, such as government, media, NGOs, think tanks, or academia. Similarly, there are many jobs after MA political science in research, consulting, diplomacy, policy analysis, or teaching. Political science can also help you become a better citizen who can contribute to the well-being and progress of humanity.
