Ever thought of becoming a politician in India? The what, how, where & when?
Well! Worry not. We are here to help you.
Politics is a field associated with a lot of negativity, frequently linked with terms such as corruption, greed, and nepotism. The role of politics in a society is a noble and ancient one. In India, which is the biggest democracy in the world based on population, there is immense potential to transform the political climate.
To bring about a change in society, and subsequently, the state and the nation, the passion to do so has to come from within, especially from the youth. Engineers and civil service personnel have their place, as do the armed forces, farmers and every profession that goes into supporting society, however, the leadership falls into the hands of politicians.
In recent times, there has been an increasing trend of people from non-political backgrounds joining the field of politics and achieving considerable success. You should give this article a read to know how to become a politician in India.
List of Content
- What is politics?
- What is the scope of politics?
- What is comparative politics and scope of Comparative Politics?
- How is Career As A Politician in India?
- How To Become A Politician in India?
- Summing Up
- FAQs
What is politics?
Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions, establish and enforce laws, and manage resources for the governance and well-being of a society. It involves the exercise of power and authority to organize and direct a community, typically through formal institutions such as governments, legislatures, and courts.
Politics affects various aspects of our lives, such as our rights, opportunities, and the way resources are distributed. Understanding politics is crucial as it makes us aware of problems, introduces ideas and new ways of thinking into the public sphere, and creates frameworks of how our society should function.
What is the scope of politics?
In India, the scope of politics is vast and significant. Why? It is because of its ethnic and cultural diversity and large population. A politician in India does not always need to become a president or prime minister or chief minister to bring a positive change. Leading a small community can also bring a big positive impact in the country.
Indeed, with a multi-party system, Indian politics offers numerous career opportunities for individuals interested in public service, policy analysis, and political consulting. Moreover, the scope extends to foreign relations, security, and regional development, making politics a central force in shaping India’s present and future trajectory.
What is comparative politics and scope of Comparative Politics?
Comparative Politics is a field where experts study how politics work in different countries around the world. They compare and contrast how governments and societies behave within each country, looking at both similarities and differences. It also aims to develop concepts, approaches and theories which can be useful for scientific theory building in politics.
Researchers draw tools of research from various disciplines such as economics, psychology and sociology to understand political patterns, processes and develop general hypotheses to create a better functioning society. They study electoral processes in different countries, different political institutions, cultures, power structures within societies, and social movements .
How is a career As A Politician in India?
Politics has not always been considered a mainstream career, as there is no formal educational requirement or ‘entrance test’ that can be studied for. Typically people have entered the field of politics after pursuing another career, although trends are evolving and people are now directly joining the field of politics.
A career as a politician has a lot to offer, depending on your success. Most importantly, you will have a chance to improve the country, by making choices that will elevate the lives of people. Everything comes down to charisma, passion, dedication and decision-making skills, as the faith of voters is what will ultimately decide your success in the field.
Your ‘entrance exam’ in politics would be to contest elections, and your salary would be dependent on which post you are elected for. In addition, if you are elected there are plenty of governmental perks that come with the role.
For MLAs, perks include daily allowances, accommodation, travel, medical coverage, constituency allowance and office expenses allowance. MPs receive an air travel allowance, residence, electricity, water and more. Another major perk of serving as an elected representative is a lifelong pension which increases based on the years served.
How To Become A Politician in India?
To become a politician, the best way is to start at a grassroots level, by volunteering and working with a political party that matches your ideals. You can volunteer or intern with political parties during elections and political rallies to gain practical experience and a better understanding of the ground reality of how politics works. Increase your visibility and social media presence with effective posts to build your brand name as a budding politician.
To join the field of politics, you can join student bodies of political groups such as ABVP and NSUI, which will provide you with a great platform to gain practical knowledge of how politics works. Popular universities such as Delhi University (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are well-known as political hubs where students are often recruited by political parties.
While in college you can join debate societies, participate in public speaking, parliamentary debates and in Model United Nations (MUN) panels to hone and polish your oratory, debating and critical-thinking skills.
Take part in events and activities related to your focus areas, for example, women empowerment, better healthcare, etc. Participating in student wings of political parties directly from a college level is a great way to enter the field of politics.
BJP party president Amit Shah began his political career as a leader of the ABVP when he was 19 years old, while current union minister Nitin Gadkari became the president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha at the age of 24 years. Former Congress leader turned Aam Aadmi Party leader, Alka Lamba, began her political career in 1994 at age 19 years, joining the National Students Union of India (NSUI), and in 1995, winning the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) president’s post.
Although there might not be specific educational qualifications for politicians, there are many paths you can follow to best equip yourself for a career in politics.
Top 12 popular career paths to becoming a politician in India:
1. Civil Services
Civil services are among the most popular career choices for people entering the field of politics. Civil services are responsible for administration and smooth functioning of the country and work in close contact with political leaders, to develop the nation.
Experience working in any of the allied civil services will help you in politics as you will have a better understanding of how administrative processes are carried out on a large scale. Famous politicians who were in the civil services include Ajit Jogi, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Meira Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal.
Recommended Read: Civil Services as a Career in India
2. Political Science
The study of political science, whether at an undergraduate level with a BA in Political Science or at the master’s level with an M.A. in Political Science, is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a career in politics. The course studies the theory and application of politics and political systems. After studying political science, you can pursue a job in the same field, such as in political journalism, political consulting, PR, civil services, or teaching, or you can directly transition into a job in politics, by working with political groups.
Recommended Read: What Can You Do After B.A Political Science? Here are 8 Promising Career Options
3. Law
Law is another field that will prepare you for a career in politics as it will provide you with a thorough understanding of the legal framework upon which the nation relies and around which governance should take place.
Famous freedom fighters and politicians around the time of independence, for example, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi were also in the profession of law, and since then there have been many more famous politicians who have a background in law such as Sushma Swaraj and Kapil Sibal. After studying law, at an undergraduate level with an LLB or master’s with LLM, you can work as a lawyer or advocate or directly enter politics.
Recommended Read: Justice for All: What it Takes to Pursue Law as a Career
4. Economics
If you enjoy studying numbers and policy, economics is a field that will help you greatly, especially in boosting the economy of the nation. Several famous politicians found their beginnings as economists, for example, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Subramanian Swamy. You can work as an economist, join the civil services or directly enter politics after studying Economics at the undergraduate (B.A Economics) or postgraduate (M.A Economics) level.
Recommended Read: What is B.A Economics All About? Career Options & Colleges
5. Journalism
Media is considered to be the 4th pillar of democracy and is responsible for communicating news and information to the public, which serves an important role in the development of a nation. Many famous journalists have made the cross-over to politics, such as Arun Shourie, Shazia Ilmi, Manish Sisodia and Rajeev Shukla, using their skills of communication to succeed in the field of politics. Journalism courses can be taken at an undergraduate or postgraduate level, after which you can practice as a journalist or directly join politics.
Recommended Read: Mass Communication Vs. Journalism: Are they the Same or Different?
6. Social Work
The role of social work is inherently similar to that of politics; to help people. By studying social work, you will be better equipped to help the weak and underprivileged sections of society, working directly with communities. Working as a social worker can directly help your chances of becoming a successful politician as you will gain visibility at the grassroots level for your work.
Recommended Read: Social Service as a Career in India
7. Policy Analyst (Public Policy and Governance)
Students could also pursue a degree in public policy, wherein they review and study government policies’ impact on society. As policy analysts, they focus on empowering marginalized sections, eradicating poverty and contributing to human development through constructive policy making.
8. Intelligence Analyst
These analysts are generally more educated in specific domains of Political Science and employed in high-profile government-run organizations. They use their knowledge of developments in world politics to understand and identify the possible problematic areas, both domestically and internationally. This information is used by the government to frame it’s political and trade relations accordingly.
Summing Up!
Youth in politics have the potential for unprecedented vision and the capability of transforming politics and with it, the nation. There are many ways to pursue a career in politics, and one crucial requirement is to have a passion for development. A career in politics comes with lots of benefits, and perks but also with great responsibility to make significant policy changes, to lead the nation, and to bring positive sustainable development in the country.
A career in politics is not a 9-to 5 job with an elite office vibe and various versions of coffee. It’s an on-ground responsibility, to meet your community, people to assess their needs and resource hindrance. So, before stepping forward into the politics world, get the details, research more, talk to career counselors, talk to expert professionals and then make a wise decision.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to start a career in politics?
You can start by volunteering in social work, and getting a degree in political science. You can also work as an intern under non-government and government bodies to understand how policy-making and advocacy works and the importance of community mobilization.
What is the full form of MLC in politics?
MLC stands for Member of Legislative Council.
What are the subjects in BA politics?
BA Politics is a 3-year undergraduate program that offers students a comprehensive understanding of fundamental political concepts and methods. The curriculum covers diverse subjects like International Relations, History, Foreign Policies, Federation, Information Technology, and Public Administration. Through this course, you would gain advanced knowledge and insights into the workings of politics and governance
What is the minimum age to join politics in India?
According to the Indian constitution, the minimum age to contest Lok Sabha (Lower House of the parliament) is 25 years, whereas for Rajya Sabha (Upper House of the parliament) it is 30 years.
Can I become a politician in India after grade 12th?
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