PhD in Political Science: Eligibility, Admission 2025, Syllabus, Fees, Jobs and Salary

PhD in Political Science is a research-oriented degree that teaches students how to examine political challenges and provide solutions. The program can be pursued as a full-time or part-time course. The course duration is 3 years, which can be extended to 6 years depending on the university's rules and regulations.

To be eligible for a PhD degree in Political Science, applicants must have a Master's degree in Political Science or a related discipline with 55% marks from a recognised university. Admission to the course is based on the entrance exam scores in exams such as UGC NET/CSIR NET/GATE, etc.

The average course fees for the PhD Political Sciences range from INR 90,000 – 3,00,000 depending on the type of institute. Some of the good colleges that offer a Doctorate Degree in Political Science are JNU (New Delhi), Delhi University, AMU, Andhra University (Visakhapatnam), Christ University (Bengaluru), and Amity University (Gurugram).

After completing a PhD in Pol Science, one can work as an Assistant Professor, Academic Coordinator, Principal of School, Political Science Teacher, Researcher and others. The average salary can range between INR 4- 14 LPA, depending on the experience level.

PhD in Political Science Highlights

Given below are some of the basic course highlights for the PhD in Political Science

What is a Ph.D Political Science?

A Ph.D Political Science is a research-focused program that focuses on how the governments work, how laws are made, and how the political decisions affect people’s lives. Students learn about topics like elections, public policies, international relations, and political history.

The Ph D Political Science mainly focuses on independent research rather than just classroom learning. Students work with a guide to plan and complete a research project, which is written as a thesis. This work should add something new to the subject.

Candidates can also explore the PhD in Public Administration, ideal for those focused on policy-making and government operations.

Why Pursue a PhD in Political Science?

Purusing a Ph D in Political Science can be a great choice for some candidates. Mentioned below are some reasons on why should one pursue a Ph.D in Political Science.

• Gain an in-depth understanding of political ideologies, governance structures, and policies to better understand how democracies operate and communicate.

• An individual qualified with a PhD degree in Political Science can eventually assist policymakers, public administrators, and government reformers through research-based insights after obtaining a PhD Pol Science.

• A doctorate in political science gives opportunities to work with global organisations, think tanks, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or diplomatic services.

• One can engage with social and political science professors, politicians, and executives to establish a solid professional connection.

PhD in Political Science Eligibility Criteria

Given below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the Ph D Political Science course.

• The candidate must hold a Master’s degree in Political Science or a related field such as International Relations, Public Administration, or Public Policy from a recognized university.
• A minimum of 55% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade in the qualifying postgraduate examination is generally required.
• Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), differently-abled categories, or other reserved categories may be given a relaxation of up to 5% in the minimum marks, as per government norms.
• Applicants are often required to qualify in a national-level entrance examination such as UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, or state/university-level Ph.D. entrance tests.
• Some universities may also consider candidates with M.Phil. degrees in Political Science or related fields for direct admission to the Ph.D. program.

PhD in Political Science Entrance Exams

The entrance exams for taking admission into a Doctorate in Political Science are listed below:

Top Colleges in India for PhD in Political Science

Some of the top colleges, as per the NIRF ranking, offering a doctorate in politics are listed below:

PhD in Political Science Admission Process 2025

For your reference, given below is the step by step admission process for the Ph D in Political Science course at JNU, New Delhi, is given below:

Step 1: Applicants must fill out the application form for admission in their respective courses.

Step 2: JNU conducts an entrance examination to evaluate candidates' analytical skills and competence in their discipline.

Step 3: Candidates who qualify for the entrance examination are called for a viva-voice.

Step 4: Applicants must also submit a research proposal for a thesis that the admission committee can supervise. The proposal must demonstrate a strong understanding of the field.

Step 5: The final selection is based on multiple factors, including past academic performance, entrance examination scores, performance in the viva voce and the quality of the research proposal submitted.

Step 6: After final selection, candidates can pay the admission fee and enrol for the Doctorate degree in Political Science course.

PhD in Political Science Syllabus

The PhD in Political Science Curriculum focuses on advanced study and research in areas such as political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, and policy analysis.

For your reference, given below is the Doctorate in Political Science Syllabus for the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, is given below:

PhD in Political Science Vs PhD in Public Administration Course Comparison

Given below is the detailed course comparison for the PhD in Political Science and PhD in Public Administration for candidates confused about which course to go with:

PhD in Political Science Jobs and Salary

A list of a few jobs and their salary for PhD in Pol Science graduates has been given below:

PhD in Political Science FAQs