The uniqueness of the B.A. (Hons) Political Science degree programme at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA) is its focus on the lived political experiences i.e. its relevance to the real world apart the study of conventional theoretical frameworks. Politics whether understood as an art or science is comprised of myriad forces shaped by actors, ideas and events on the ground.  This degree aims to train students so that they may integrate successfully with all manifestations of politics. This includes local, state, national and international spheres. We pay particular attention to the role of leadership by various public figures, of political discourse, the role of civil society, social media platforms as well as grassroots participation. This degree programme is diverse in that it offers courses on economics, sociology, history and philosophy with the result that students will have a holistic and well-rounded understanding of political affairs.

The study of politics also requires sufficient background understanding of other related social sciences and humanities. Students enrolled in JSIA’s B.A. Honours in Political Science degree will also do courses on economics, sociology, history and philosophy so that they have a holistic and rounded understanding of political affairs. The pre-existing Political Science Honours programmes have not adequately trained students in these related disciplines, leaving students weak in their overall interpretation of the context behind political developments. At JSIA, students will get a good mix of core political science subjects and subjects from sister disciplines so that the inter-relatedness of political phenomena is fully grasped. Students also have the flexibility to choose electives from other schools of JGU such as Law, Business, Public Policy and Journalism.

JSIA provides students with the opportunity to learn from world renowned professors from prestigious international institutions. JSIA has a number of student exchange programmes with some of the top schools in international affairs. These include:

1. Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA), U.S.A.
2. Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, U.S.A.

• School of International Service, American University, U.S.A.

1. Ryerson University, Canada; Faculty of Social Sciences,
2. University of Wroclaw, Poland; Centre for European Studies,
3. Katholieke Universiteit (KU), Leuven, Belgium;

• Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, The Netherlands;
• National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan;

1. Kyung Hee University, South Korea
2. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan.

Students can also opt for summer schools in:

1. University of Oxford, U.K.
2. University of Granada, Spain

• Fletcher School at University of Tufts, U.S.A.

Students also have the option of studying abroad at:

1. Geneva School of Diplomacy, Switzerland to earn a second Bachelor’s Degree in Global and International Studies through academic collaboration with JSIA.

Also, JSIA hosts India’s first Taiwan Education Centre, which was established by National Tsing Hua University of Taiwan with the backing of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Centre is directed by Taiwanese specialists in Mandarin Chinese language and imparts beginners, intermediate and advanced level Mandarin lessons to students from JGU.

Political Science as a versatile social science degree leads to a variety of career paths. Political scientists study governing systems, political development and political theory. While pursuing this degree in Political Science from JSIA, students will not only learn about politics and government, they will also gain valuable analytical, communication and research skills. Political Science jobs include the following:

1. Government
2. Academia
3. Bureaucracy
4. Leadership
5. Media
6. Non-Governmental Organisations
7. Public Relations
8. Risk Analysts
9. Think Tanks
10. Advocacy groups
11. International organisations
12. Consultants 

JSIA has highly qualified full-time faculty who serve as role models to impact our students’ academic and personal competencies. Faculty is recruited based on measures, including diversity of geographical origin, gender, educational qualifications and professional experience. Please visit our website for more information about JSIA faculty: http://www.jsia.edu.in/our-faculty/

• BA GA is designed to specifically delve into international affairs with a thorough and comprehensive analysis of global/world politics, foreign policy and its implications in different regions of the world. On the other hand, the BA PSc covers issues related to domestic politics in India and comparative politics, with an extensive analysis of electoral democracy, authoritarianism, public policy, governance, bureaucratic structures and the role of political parties and leaders. 
• In terms of theoretical underpinnings, both degree programs share an interdisciplinary relationship, which means theories and concepts covered in one degree programme can be applied in analysing domestic or politics. However, the prominent theories taught in BA GA include Realism, Liberalism, Marxism and Constructivism, among other schools of thought. On the other hand, the core theories Covered BA PSc include Structuralism, Behaviouralism, Rationalism, Culturalism, Subaltern approach, Postcolonialism etc.
• The courses offered in BA PSc incorporate issues of identity politics in India and the world, markets and politics, Marx and Gandhi, nonviolence, caste and class. In BA GA, the courses include Politics of Developing Nations, Comparative Politics and International Security, religion and politics, and Foreign Policy Analysis.
• Both BA GA and BA PSc employ rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students enrolled in the two programmes have the flexibility to choose courses from other Schools in the University, including Law, Public Policy, Liberal Arts et al.
• Both degree programmes combine theoretical and practical knowledge through a diverse global faculty body and provide opportunities for experiential learning in India and abroad.
• Foreign language courses such as Mandarin, Arabic, Dari, French, Spanish and German are mandatory for BA GA, where the students are equipped with skills to study and work abroad. These language courses are optional for BA PSc students.
• Career opportunities for BA PSc include research organisations, political consultancies, jobs in civil service and the public sector, research under parliamentarians and higher education. The opportunities for BA GA students are in geopolitical risk analysis, foreign policy think-tanks, international and non-governmental organisations, Embassies, the Ministry of External Affairs and academia.

A valid entrance exam score is a mandatory requirement. JSAT is one of the options. Other tests like SAT and ACT are accepted too.

Yes, it is valid.

O.P. Jindal Global University awards Merit cum Means Scholarships (MCM) every year. The MCM Scholarship covers the tuition fee only. Scholarship applications will be opened by the University by 1 April and will be awarded to eligible students in July. The eligibility criteria include annual family income, XII board score, JSAT or standardized examination results and faculty interview score. Weightage will also be given to curricular and non-curricular achievements.

Yes. There will be a mock legislative assembly as this programme is about understanding the lived political experiences and how politics is enacted every day. Legislature is an important arena of politics and it is crucial to understand the role of political leaders, their personal beliefs and law making for the nation.

Please visit our website for detailed information: – http://www.jsia.edu.in/three-year-ba-hons-political-science/