Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

Pondicherry University (PU), a NAAC "A" Grade accredited central university established in 1985, offers a 2-year full-time Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science under the School of Social Sciences and International Studies. The programme spans 4 semesters and covers political theory, comparative politics, Indian politics, international relations, and public administration. The total fees for the programme are approximately Rs. 32,142 for the entire course, making it one of the most affordable MA Political Science programmes among central universities in India. The course has a seat intake of 50 students and admission is based on CUET PG scores. The programme is popular among students aspiring for civil services, academic research, policy work, and international relations careers, and draws applicants from across the country.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are based on CUET PG 2026, which was conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026. The CUET PG 2026 results are expected in May 2026, following which Pondicherry University will initiate its counselling and admission process tentatively in June-July 2026. The university's PG admission application portal is currently closed for 2026-27.

Key Points

The Department of Politics and International Studies at Pondicherry University is one of the few departments in India to offer both Political Science and Politics with International Relations as separate MA programmes, allowing students to choose based on their interest.
The Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) allows students to opt for elective courses from the International Relations department, giving Political Science students exposure to IR subjects like China in International Politics, Security Studies, and Global Governance.
The university was the first in India to implement CBCS, and the Political Science programme benefits from this flexible curriculum structure.
The campus is located just 200 metres from the Bay of Bengal, offering a unique residential campus experience in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
70% attendance is mandatory to appear for semester examinations.
The university has an MoU with the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi, providing students with exposure to world affairs and policy discussions.

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Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

15 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Results are expected to be released by First week of May @exams.nta.nic.in. To know more, click here.

03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University Fee Structure 2026 is out for MA Political Science programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 39,347 . Read more.

PU MA Political Science Fees

The MA Political Science programme at Pondicherry University is highly affordable, with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 32,142 for the entire 2-year programme. The fee is structured semester-wise, with the first semester being the highest due to one-time charges such as registration, matriculation, recognition, amenities development fund, and university development fund. From the second semester onwards, only recurring charges apply. Hostel accommodation is optional and available at a nominal annual cost.

Fee Structure (All MA Programmes except MA Economics)

Sl. No.	Fee Component	Semester I (Rs.)	Semester II (Rs.)	Semester III (Rs.)	Semester IV (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
1	Tuition Fee	1,500	1,500	1,500	1,500	6,000
2	Registration Fee	300	-	-	-	300
3	Matriculation Fee	100	-	-	-	100
4	Recognition Fee	400	-	-	-	400
5	Sports Fund	500	500	-	-	1,000
6	Medical Examination / Facilities Fund	600	600	-	-	1,200
7	Library Fund	1,500	-	1,500	-	3,000
8	Computer Lab Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-	4,000
9	Amenities Development Fund	6,000	-	-	-	6,000
10	Students' Welfare Fund	400	400	-	-	800
11	Alumni Association Fund	200	-	-	-	200
12	Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-	-	-	1,000
13	Placement Activity Fund	200	200	200	200	800
14	Academic Activity Fund	1,000	-	1,000	-	2,000
15	Digital Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-	4,000
16	Group Medical Insurance	142	-	-	-	142
17	University Development Fund	1,200	-	-	-	1,200
Total Fees		19,042	3,200	8,200	1,700	32,142

Hostel fees (non-refundable, paid annually): Room Rent for PG students: Rs. 900 per annum; General Amenities Fund: Rs. 700 per annum; Establishment Charges: Rs. 300 per annum; Application Fee (at the time of hostel admission only): Rs. 75 (one-time).
Hostel Caution Deposit (Refundable): Rs. 3,000 (one-time, refunded on vacating hostel).
Mess fees are charged separately at prevailing rates and are compulsory for hostel residents.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory; it is subject to availability and is allotted on the recommendation of the Head of Department.
SC/ST students are exempted from room rent.
Differently-abled students get rent-free accommodation.
Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 (course fee) is refundable on leaving the university after deducting dues.
Late fee fine: Rs. 5 per day for the first 10 days; Rs. 10 per day thereafter.
SC/ST students eligible for post-matric scholarships may pay fees within 90 days of admission on submission of an undertaking.
Differently-abled students are exempted from all fees except refundable caution deposits and Group Medical Insurance premium.

PU MA Political Science Admission 2026

Admissions to the MA Political Science programme at Pondicherry University are conducted through CUET PG scores. The university does not conduct its own entrance examination for this programme. For 2026-27, CUET PG 2026 was held from March 6 to March 27, 2026, and results are expected in May 2026. The university's counselling and admission process is expected to begin in June-July 2026 based on the previous year's pattern. The CUET PG paper code for MA Political Science is HUQP18.

Pondicherry University MA Political Science Admission Dates 2026-27

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Application Start	December 14, 2025
CUET PG 2026 Application End	January 25, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (tentative)
PU PG Admission Application (Tentative)	June 2026
PU Counselling / Select List (Tentative)	June - July 2026
Batch Commencement (Tentative)	July - August 2026

CUET PG 2026 Key Exam Dates

Event	Date
Application Start Date	December 14, 2025
Application End Date	January 25, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
Result Declaration	May 6, 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks (or equivalent grade) from a recognized university under the 10+2+3 system.
SC/ST candidates who have passed the qualifying examination are eligible to apply irrespective of the percentage of marks obtained.
Candidates awaiting their final year results may also apply; however, they must produce the mark sheet/degree certificate before the date notified by the university, failing which provisional admission will be cancelled.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET PG 2026 with paper code HUQP18 (Political Science).
Apply to Pondicherry University through the official admissions portal (admissions.pondiuni.edu.in) once the university opens its application window.
Merit list / provisional select list is prepared based on CUET PG scores.
Shortlisted candidates must confirm admission by visiting the university portal and paying the admission fee before the deadline.
Original documents are verified at the time of admission.
Reservation: 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 10% for EWS, and 5% for differently-abled candidates as per Government of India norms.

Pondicherry University: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 5 Reviews

Pondicherry University offers various programs, including MBA, MA, MSc, and integrated courses in science and arts. Admissions require an entrance exam for each course, and candidates can apply for up to three courses. Some programs also involve an interview process. The faculty, though qualified, is insufficient due to a recruitment freeze over the past five years. The fee structure is considered affordable but challenging for economically disadvantaged students. For example, MA programs cost approximately 100,000 INR over two years.

The university offers 100% placement for MBA and M.Com programs, attracting multinational companies like HDFC and Axis, while MA and MSc programs lack placement services. Students can begin campus recruitment from the third semester, with internship opportunities in the fourth semester at NGOs and government organizations, including the Ministry of External Affairs. Although the university does not provide its own scholarships, it offers free room rent for socially backward classes and female students, alongside various central and state scholarships.

Additionally, merit-based scholarships and hostel concessions are available for SC, ST, and female students.

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PU MA Political Science Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers multiple scholarship options for MA Political Science students, ranging from merit-based university scholarships to government-funded schemes. The university's own Merit Scholarship and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship are available to all PG students, while external scholarships from UGC and state governments provide additional financial support. Students can avail only one scholarship at a time.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
Merit Scholarship (University)	Top 3 rankers in PG admission entrance / highest SGPA in previous semester	Rs. 2,000 / Rs. 1,500 / Rs. 1,000 per month (for Rank 1, 2, 3 respectively)
Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship (University)	20% of PG students; based on merit (SGPA) and parental income (annual income below Rs. 2,50,000)	Rs. 750 per month
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child (UGC)	Single girl child pursuing PG programme	As per UGC norms
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders (UGC)	University rank holders at UG level pursuing Master's degree	As per UGC norms
Government of India SC/ST/OBC Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC candidates	As per respective state government norms
Government of Puducherry Merit and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship	Students belonging to the UT of Puducherry	As per Government of Puducherry norms

For Merit Scholarship (1st semester), it is sanctioned on entrance examination marks; for subsequent semesters, it is based on SGPA.
For MCM Scholarship, conditions include: minimum 70% attendance every month, passing all papers registered for each semester, and certification by the Head of Department.
Students are eligible for only one scholarship at a time.
Application deadlines for external scholarships (UGC, state government) are notified separately by the respective agencies.

PU MA Political Science FAQs

Ques. Is a BA in Political Science mandatory to apply for MA Political Science at Pondicherry University?

Ans. No, a BA in Political Science is not mandatory. The eligibility criterion is a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. Students from diverse backgrounds including History, Sociology, Economics, and even Science or Commerce can apply, as long as they meet the minimum marks requirement and qualify CUET PG.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Political Science and MA Politics and International Relations at Pondicherry University? Which one should I choose?

Ans. Pondicherry University offers two separate MA programmes: MA Political Science (Course Code 399, 50 seats) and MA Politics and International Relations (Course Code 362, 60 seats). MA Political Science is more focused on political theory, Indian politics, and comparative politics, while MA Politics and International Relations has a stronger IR orientation covering global governance, foreign policy, and security studies. If you are interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, or international careers, MA Politics and IR may be a better fit. Both use the same CUET PG paper code HUQP18.

Ques. With what CUET PG rank can I get admission to MA Political Science at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Based on previous years' select lists, candidates with a rank in the range of 1 to 100 (General category) have a strong chance of securing admission given the 50-seat intake. However, the actual cutoff varies each year depending on the number of applicants and score distribution. SC/ST/OBC candidates can get admission at relatively lower ranks due to reservation. It is advisable to check the provisional select lists published on the official admissions portal after results are declared.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for MA Political Science students at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Hostel accommodation is not guaranteed. Since limited hostel facility is available, accommodation is given to approximately one-third of admitted students, on the recommendation of the Head of Department, subject to availability. Preference is given to students coming from distant places. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation immediately after admission confirmation.

Ques. What are the career options after MA Political Science from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates typically pursue careers in civil services (IAS, IFS, IPS through UPSC), academic research (MPhil/PhD), NGOs, policy think-tanks, political journalism, and government-relations roles in the corporate sector. The programme is particularly well-suited for UPSC aspirants, as the curriculum aligns closely with the Political Science and International Relations optional paper. Some graduates also pursue PhD programmes in India and abroad.

Ques. Does Pondicherry University offer any flexibility to take International Relations courses during the MA Political Science programme?

Ans. Yes. Under the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS), MA Political Science students can opt for softcore/elective courses from the Department of Politics and International Studies, including IR-oriented subjects. This is one of the key advantages of studying at Pondicherry University, as it allows Political Science students to gain exposure to international relations without formally enrolling in the MA Politics and IR programme.

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Why To Join Pondicherry University - Reviews & Rating

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KRISHNAGAYATHRI S

4.0Helpful

MA, Political Science

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

PU review

Fees and Financial Aid:

1st year 36000 2nd year 9900 Same for everyone Don't know about others. Merit cum scholarship Scholarship for sc and st Scholarship for students from their own states Sc and ST students have hostel fee concession. Hostel fee concession for girls

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AMBATI VAMSHI

4.6

MA, Political Science

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

PU & THE CHERISHED MOMENTS

Dislikes

No placements for ma courses. Academics are not upto the level

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fee structure for the course would be like this..for sem 1 tuition fees would be 19k and hostel fee would be 12k..For sem2 tuition would be 1.7k and mess fee would be 12k.and the same would repeat for the second year...The complete cost for this course would be around 1Lakh for the course for 2 years

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David Konsam

3.8

MA, Political Science

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2024(Enrolled 2019)

Pondicherry university

Student Snaps:

Fees and Financial Aid:

For the Master Of Arts or School of Social Science, the fees during 2019-21 were 23000 though it usually increases every year which is not a good sign for a central university. Students can apply for any scholarship both state or central. Even the university gives special scholarships to the top rankers.

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Saurabh Bharne

4.6

MA, Political Science

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2020

Perfect

Fees and Financial Aid:

There are various central as well as state scholorships. he can apply for maximum three separate courses. After clearing separate entrance exam for every particular course, one have to appear in an interview.

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Sajad

3.6Helpful

MA, Political Science

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2019

Ghjj

Fees and Financial Aid:

There is no scholarship provided by this University. but there are some schemes where people beloninging to socially backward class can avail free room rent. There is no room rent for girl students also.

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