Arts & Humanities
ug
Full Time
BA
Bachelor of Arts
3 Years
8 Colleges
BA Syllabus 2026
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) syllabus covers a structured programme spanning 3 Years designed to build both foundational knowledge and specialised expertise. The curriculum varies by specialisation, with 8 specialisations available including Economics, English, Geography. Below is the detailed semester-wise subject breakdown and programme structure.
BA Semester-wise Subjects
BA Syllabus & Subjects
BA syllabus varies significantly by specialization and university. Below are subjects for the most popular BA specializations at central universities, along with new NEP 2020 components.
BA Honours Political Science (DU Pattern)
| Semester | Core Papers | Additional Components |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Introduction to Political Theory | AEC (Language), SEC, VAC (NEP 2020) |
| Semester 2 | Indian Government and Politics | GE (Generic Elective), SEC |
| Semester 3 | Comparative Government and Politics | GE, SEC, Minor stream |
| Semester 4 | International Relations | GE, SEC |
| Semester 5 | Public Administration, DSE (elective) | Internship/Community engagement |
| Semester 6 | Indian Political Thought, DSE (elective) | Dissertation/Project (optional) |
| Semester 7–8 (FYUP) | Advanced Theory, Research Methodology, Dissertation | Honours with Research track |
BA Honours Economics (Core Subjects)
- Microeconomics: Consumer Theory, Producer Theory, Market Structures, Game Theory
- Macroeconomics: National Income, IS-LM Model, Open Economy, Growth Models
- Statistics & Econometrics: Probability, Regression Analysis, Hypothesis Testing, Time Series
- Indian Economy: Agriculture, Industry, Services sector, Fiscal/Monetary Policy
- Development Economics: Poverty, Inequality, Human Development, Trade and Development
- Mathematical Economics: Optimization, Linear Algebra, Calculus applications
BA Honours History (Core Subjects)
- Ancient India: Indus Valley, Vedic Period, Mauryas, Guptas, South Indian Kingdoms
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti-Sufi movements, Vijayanagara
- Modern India: Colonial Rule, National Movement, Partition, Post-independence India
- World History: French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, Cold War, Decolonisation
- Historiography: Methods of historical inquiry, source analysis, historical debates
NEP 2020 New Components (Applicable to All BA Programmes)
| Component | Full Form | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| AEC | Ability Enhancement Course | English/Hindi/MIL communication skills |
| SEC | Skill Enhancement Course | IT, Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, Legal Literacy |
| VAC | Value Added Course | Ethics, Environmental Studies, Indian Knowledge Systems |
| GE | Generic Elective | Courses from other departments for interdisciplinary exposure |
| DSE | Discipline Specific Elective | Advanced specialization within the chosen subject |
| Minor | Minor Stream | Secondary subject area — a new NEP 2020 addition allowing dual competency |
BA Programme Structure & Credit Distribution
BA Year-wise Curriculum Structure
BA follows a progressive structure from foundational courses to advanced specialization. Under NEP 2020, students accumulate credits through core, elective, skill, and value-added courses across semesters.
Year 1 — Foundation (Exit: Certificate)
| Component | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Core (Major) | Introduction to the discipline | Foundational concepts — Part II |
| Minor | Introductory paper in secondary subject | Minor subject — Part II |
| AEC | English / Hindi communication | MIL (Modern Indian Language) |
| SEC | IT Skills / Digital Literacy | Data handling / Office tools |
| VAC | Understanding India / IKS | Environmental Studies |
| Credits | ~22 credits | ~22 credits (44 total Year 1) |
Year 2 — Intermediate (Exit: Diploma)
| Component | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Core (Major) | Intermediate-level discipline papers (2 papers) | Intermediate-level discipline papers (2 papers) |
| Minor | Minor stream paper | Minor stream paper |
| GE | Generic Elective from another department | Generic Elective |
| SEC | Skill course (e.g., Content Writing) | Skill course (e.g., Legal Literacy) |
| Credits | ~22 credits | ~22 credits (88 cumulative) |
Year 3 — Advanced (Exit: Degree)
| Component | Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Core (Major) | Advanced core papers (2 papers) | Advanced core papers (2 papers) |
| DSE | Discipline Specific Elective | Discipline Specific Elective |
| Internship | Community engagement / Field work | Internship / Industry project |
| Credits | ~22 credits | ~22 credits (132 cumulative for 3-year degree) |
Year 4 — Honours / Research (FYUP Only)
- Honours: Advanced discipline papers + capstone project. Total: ~176 credits.
- Honours with Research: Includes research methodology course + dissertation under faculty supervision. Qualifies for direct PhD admission under NEP 2020.
- Who should do Year 4: Students targeting academia (direct PhD pathway), those wanting deeper specialization, and students aiming for research fellowships.
Skills Developed in BA
Skills Required & Acquired in BA
Skills Required (Before Joining BA)
Academic Skills
- Strong reading comprehension and writing ability
- Analytical thinking — ability to evaluate arguments and evidence
- Basic awareness of social, political, and cultural issues
- Interest in reading beyond textbooks — newspapers, books, journals
For Specific Specializations
- Economics: Comfort with mathematics (Class 12 level). BA Hons. Economics involves calculus, statistics, and econometrics
- Psychology: Scientific temperament, interest in research methodology and statistics
- English: Strong command over English language and literature. Reading habit essential
- Political Science / History: Interest in current affairs, ability to write essays
Skills Acquired During BA
Critical Thinking & Analysis
- Evaluating complex arguments from multiple perspectives
- Distinguishing evidence from opinion
- Synthesising information from diverse sources
- Constructing logical, evidence-based arguments
Communication & Writing
- Academic essay writing (3,000–5,000 word papers)
- Research report preparation and presentation
- Seminar presentation and group discussion
- Policy brief and position paper writing
Research & Digital Skills
- Primary and secondary source research
- Survey design and qualitative data analysis
- Digital literacy (SEC courses under NEP 2020)
- Data interpretation and basic statistical analysis
Competitive Exam Skills Developed
- UPSC GS Preparation: BA courses in Political Science, History, Geography, and Sociology directly cover 60–70% of UPSC General Studies syllabus — giving BA graduates a structural advantage over other degree holders.
- Essay Writing: Regular essay assignments during BA build the essay-writing skill tested in UPSC (250 marks), state PCS, and bank descriptive papers.
- Answer Writing: Semester exams require concise, structured answer writing in 150–250 words — the exact format demanded by UPSC Mains.
BA Specialisations
The syllabus and curriculum differ by specialisation. Explore all 8 available specialisations:
Economics
English
Geography
History
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
View All Specialisations