IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
The IGNOU MA Political Science is a two-year Master's programme with a fee of Rs. 8,200 per year for the July 2026 session. Any candidate with a Bachelor's Degree or a higher degree from a recognised university is eligible to apply.
| Detail | MA Political Science (MPS) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MAPS |
| School | School of Social Sciences (SOSS) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. |
| Medium | English & Hindi |
| Duration | 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 8,200 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Total credits | 80 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS): what the programme covers
The IGNOU MA Political Science (MAPS) programme provides a strong foundation in political analysis. It offers an in-depth study of political phenomena across major subfields of Political Science, enabling critical engagement with political ideas, institutions, processes, and practices. The programme has a total weightage of 80 credits.
The revised MAPS programme combines core and elective courses, with scope for interdisciplinary studies. The first and second semesters focus on core courses, while the third and fourth semesters include both core and elective courses. These electives are mostly discipline-specific, with some interdisciplinary options drawn from other fields. For example, Semester I includes five core courses, each worth 4 credits: MPS 101 Political Theory: Key Concepts, MPS 102 Indian Political System: Constitutional Framework and Institutions, MPS 103 Approaches to International Relations, MPS 104 Comparative Politics, and MPS 105 Western Political Thought.
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree. The programme is offered in both English and Hindi medium.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
IGNOU MA Political Science (MAPS) programme fee is Rs. 8,200 per year for the July 2026 session. The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration is Rs. 16,400.
This amount excludes additional charges. A non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at admission for the July 2026 session. These are added to the first year’s programme fee. Learners who choose soft copies of study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee.
MA Political Science (MPS) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 8,200 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) duration and credits
The IGNOU MA Political Science programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Learners must complete all requirements within this four-year window to receive the degree. The programme totals 80 credits, with 20 credits typically assigned to each of the first two semesters.
This option suits those who cannot commit to a full semester load.
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU MA Political Science programme has a total weightage of 80 credits. Learners complete core courses in the first two semesters, then choose from core and elective courses in the third and fourth semesters. This structure combines disciplinary depth with interdisciplinary exposure.
The first semester includes five core courses, each worth 4 credits, for a total of 20 credits. These courses cover foundational topics such as Political Theory: Key Concepts (MPS 101) and Indian Political System: Constitutional Framework and Institutions (MPS 102).
The second semester also consists of core courses. The third and fourth semesters introduce elective options, allowing learners to specialise. These electives include discipline-specific courses and interdisciplinary options drawn from other Schools of study. For example, MPS 104, Comparative Politics, covers topics like the State in Comparative Perspective and Institutions and Processes.
MA Political Science (MPS) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 5 courses | 20 |
| 2nd semester | 5 courses | 20 |
IGNOU's July 2026 prospectus lists the courses for the 1st and 2nd semesters (40 credits). The courses for the remaining 40 of the programme's 80 credits are not listed in it yet.
MA Political Science (MPS) 1st semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPS 101 | Political Theory: Key Concepts | 4 | Core |
| MPS 102 | Indian Political System: Constitutional Framework and Institutions | 4 | Core |
| MPS 103 | Approaches to International Relations | 4 | Core |
| MPS 104 | Comparative Politics | 4 | Core |
| MPS 105 | Western Political Thought | 4 | Core |
MA Political Science (MPS) 2nd semester
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPS 106 | Political Theory: Contemporary Debates | 4 | Core |
| MPS 107 | Indian Political System: Processes and Dynamics | 4 | Core |
| MPS 108 | Contemporary Issues in International Relations | 4 | Core |
| MPS 109 | Comparative Politics: Issues and Debates | 4 | Core |
| MPS 110 | Research Methodology | 4 | Core |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
IGNOU offers admission to its Master of Arts (Political Science) programme twice a year, in the January and July cycles. The July 2026 admission cycle is currently open on the ODL admission portal. Applicants for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognised university.
The application process for IGNOU MA Political Science admission is fully online through the Samarth portal. No printed form needs to be sent to a Regional Centre. This includes the annual programme fee of Rs. 8,200, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300, and a University Development fee of Rs. 400.
To apply for IGNOU MA Political Science admission 2026, follow these steps:
- Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
- Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
- Register as a new user if you have not applied before.
- Fill out the application form with your personal and educational details.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents. These include a colour passport-size photograph with a white background (under 100 KB, JPEG), relevant educational qualification proof (under 200 KB, JPEG/PDF), and a category certificate if applicable (under 200 KB).
- Pay the admission fees using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
- Submit the application.
IGNOU MA Political Science (MPS) exams and assignments
Assignments are mandatory for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme. Assignments for the current session are available for download from the University website. Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre. If an assignment fails, it must be resubmitted. However, once an assignment passes, it cannot be resubmitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme are held twice a year, in June and December. These examinations take place at centres across India and abroad. There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, as seen in the December 2026 TEE schedule. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if they registered in English medium, except for language programmes. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). Project and practical exam fees are Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle. Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post.
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the full form of MPS in IGNOU?
The official name is Master of Arts (Political Science) (MAPS), offered by the School of Social Sciences (SOSS).
What is the total fee for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration is Rs. 16,400, based on the July 2026 prospectus. This excludes the non-refundable Rs. 300 registration fee and Rs. 400 University Development fee paid at admission, plus examination fees.
How many credits are in the IGNOU MA Political Science programme?
The IGNOU MA Political Science programme has a total weightage of 80 credits. Each credit represents 30 hours of learner study, combining self-study and other learning activities.
Which semester is the heaviest in the IGNOU MA Political Science programme?
Both the first and second semesters carry 20 credits each, making them equally weighted in terms of study load. Each semester consists of five core courses, each worth 4 credits.
Are there any practicals or projects in the IGNOU MA Political Science syllabus?
The listed courses are all theory-based.
What is the eligibility for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme?
To be eligible for the IGNOU MA Political Science programme, a learner must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University.
Can I get a discount on the programme fee if I choose digital study material?
Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of the self-learning material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. This option is available during the admission process.
What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Political Science?
The minimum duration to complete the IGNOU MA Political Science programme is 2 years. Learners have a maximum of 4 years to complete all programme requirements from the date of admission.
Where can I find the study blocks for the IGNOU MA Political Science courses?
The self-learning material, including study blocks for courses like MPS 102, MPS 104, MPS 107, and MPS 109, is available on the eGyanKosh repository.
Can I write the term-end examination in Hindi if I registered for the English medium?
Yes, learners may write their term-end examinations in Hindi, even if they registered for the English medium. This rule applies to all programmes except specific language programmes.