BA Political Science and UPSC Preparation – Is it the right choice?
Whenever a student starts preparing for UPSC, the first question that comes to his mind is – “Which BA course is best for UPSC?” The most common and practical answer to this question is – BA in Political Science.
This course is not just about studying a subject, but it gives you an opportunity to deeply understand the politics, governance system, constitution and policies of the country and the world. If you are preparing for an exam like UPSC, then Political Science can serve as a strong foundation in your preparation.
What is BA Political Science?
BA Political Science is a three-year undergraduate course. In this course, students study subjects like politics, constitution, governance system, international relations and policy-making.
In this, you not only get a chance to understand the functioning of Indian politics and government, but also develop an in-depth understanding of major political developments and international relations in the world.
The syllabus is something like this:
- Indian Constitution
- Indian Politics and Government
- Political Theory
- International Relations
- Public Policy
- Contemporary World Politics
If you notice, these are the same topics that appear in UPSC General Studies Paper-I and Paper-II.
UPSC and BA Political Science – A Perfect Pair
There is a natural connection between BA Political Science and UPSC preparation. This is because the syllabus of this course matches with that of UPSC to a great extent.
1. Matching Syllabus
The syllabus of UPSC is huge and comprehensive. At the same time, many subjects taught in BA Political Science come in both UPSC Prelims and Mains, such as:
- Indian Constitution and Political System (GS Paper 2)
- International Relations
- Governance System
- Political Theory
For this reason, the student does not need to start completely different for UPSC. What you study is also useful in UPSC.
2. Benefits in Optional Subject
In UPSC Mains, you have to choose an optional subject. If you have studied Political Science in Graduation, then choosing it as an optional will be very beneficial for you.
The biggest advantage of this is that you will not need to learn a new subject. You can prepare the same things in a better way, which you have already studied.
3. Help in Answer Writing
The quality of answer writing is most important in UPSC Mains. BA Political Science not only gives you knowledge of the subject, but also develops writing skills.
This course teaches you to present ideas in a clear and organized form. This is the same art that is required to succeed in UPSC.
4. Impression in Interview
When you reach the UPSC Personality Test i.e. interview, your in-depth understanding of politics and current events increases your confidence. It makes a good impression on the board and your answers show logic and knowledge.
For which students is this course right?
BA Political Science is best suited for those students who:
- Are interested in politics, law, sociology or government policies
- Want to go into administrative services
- Enjoy understanding the Constitution and history
- Have been dreaming of preparing for UPSC since school or college
If you fall into any of these categories, then this course can prove beneficial for you.
Opinions and examples of UPSC toppers
Many UPSC toppers have also studied BA Political Science and have chosen it as optional.
| Year | Rank | Name | Optional Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | Shruti Sharma | History |
| 2015 | 1 | Tina Dabi | Political Science |
| 2020 | 4 | Yash Jaluka | Economics |
Tina Dabi was a student of Political Science and chose it as optional. She told that her graduation notes helped her a lot in UPSC preparation.
This example shows that studying Political Science not only gives academic knowledge but also gives strategic advantage in competitive exams like UPSC.
Is Political Science alone enough?
It is a common misconception that if you study Political Science, then success in UPSC will be automatic. But it is not so.
Political Science can guide your preparation, but success in UPSC depends on:
- Hard work
- Time management
- Constant practice
- And smart strategy
That is, along with BA Political Science, you will also have to prepare for other subjects like current affairs, ethics, environment, economy.
Other BA course options for UPSC
If Political Science is not your first choice, then other BA courses are also considered good for UPSC. Such as:
- BA History – In-depth study of history helps in UPSC Prelims and Mains.
- BA Geography – Having specialization in Geography subject strengthens GS Paper-I.
- BA Sociology – Sociology is popular as an Optional and helps in understanding various aspects of society.
- BA Economics – Understanding of economic policies and development is beneficial in both GS and Optional of UPSC.
- BA Public Administration – Gives detailed knowledge of administrative structure and government policies.
- BA Philosophy – Provides strength in the subject of logic, philosophy and ethics.
You can choose any of these subjects according to your interest and ability.
Benefits of choosing BA Political Science
If your goal is to pass UPSC and you are interested in politics and governance, then BA Choosing Political Science is a smart decision.
Its benefits:
- Coordinates with UPSC syllabus
- Makes optional subject preparation easier
- Strengthens answer writing and reasoning ability
- Develops administrative aptitude
But keep in mind that no course alone can lead to success. Hard work, regular practice and smart strategy are the real keys.
Conclusion
BA Political Science not only makes your UPSC preparation easier but also gives you political understanding, constitutional knowledge, understanding of global events and administrative thinking.
If you are interested in politics, administration and serving the country, then this course is right for you. Remember, the right use of knowledge and hard work is the real key to success.
So, if you have a dream of achieving success in UPSC and you are interested in politics, then BA Political Science is a great option for you.
