BA Subjects in Indian Colleges & Universities

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is one of the most popular undergraduate programs, attracting thousands of students each year. This degree offers a wide range of disciplines to specialize in, and pursuing a master’s degree afterward can further enhance career prospects. With subjects ranging from Linguistics and Economics to Social Sciences and Finance, students explore multiple fields, gaining insights that reveal the broad scope of this stream.

Before enrolling in a BA program, it’s essential to understand the key BA subjects available across different courses. This blog highlights the major BA programs’ subjects, helping students grasp the core concepts and topics that make Arts such a diverse and rewarding field.

About the BA Course

The full form of BA is Bachelor of Arts (BA) and is an undergraduate degree awarded in Liberal Arts or specializations related to Humanities or Social Science. It is generally a three-year program in which students mainly study different subjects such as History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy, amongst others.

The program generally lasts for 3 years, but in many countries, it can extend up to four years as well. Upon graduation, one can find innumerable jobs and courses after BA to advance their knowledge.

Core BA Subjects

While the specific Bachelor of Arts subjects vary by institution, several core subjects are common across most BA programs. Here’s a look at the primary BA programme subjects you may encounter:

Core BA Subject	Description
English Literature	Covers various literary genres, analysis, and critical theories. Ideal for those interested in writing, teaching, and media.
History	A study of past events, civilizations, and historical movements. Encourages critical thinking about past and present societal trends.
Political Science	Focuses on government systems, political ideologies, and global relations. Suitable for students interested in public administration, politics, and law.
Psychology	The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Popular among students aiming for careers in counseling, social work, and human resources.
Economics	Involves the study of the economy, financial systems, and market behavior. A core subject for aspiring professionals in finance, business, or policy-making.
Sociology	Examines society, social interactions, and cultural dynamics. Ideal for understanding human relationships and social structures.
Philosophy	A critical study of knowledge, reality, and existence. Great for students who enjoy deep questioning and logical analysis.
Geography	Studies physical landscapes, human-environment interactions, and spatial relationships. Offers career options in urban planning, environmental science, and research.

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BA Courses List

Since Arts stream subjects are interdisciplinary, one can pursue a BA degree in a multitude of specialisations. Before we move on to the in-depth description of some of the BA Course subjects, here are some of the subject areas of Bachelor of Arts courses in India:

Languages & Literature

• BA English
• BA English Literature
• BA Functional English
• BA Linguistics
• BA in other Languages & Literature (Hindi, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, etc.)

Arts & Creative Studies

• BA Fine Arts
• BA Music
• BA Theatre / Performing Arts
• BA Communication Studies
• BA Journalism & Mass Communication

Social Sciences

• BA History
• BA Economics
• BA Sociology
• BA Political Science
• BA Anthropology
• BA Geography
• BA Rural Studies
• BA Public Administration

Philosophy, Religion & Law

• BA Philosophy
• BA Theology
• BA LLB

Applied & Professional Studies

• BA Psychology
• BA Social Work
• BA Home Science
• BA Physical Education
• BA Archaeology
• BA Biomedical Sciences

Note: In Indian institutes, a BA can be pursued either as a generic course that covers subjects of Arts and Humanities, or it can be opted for as a BA Hons subjects that focus on a certain specialization, such as BA Hons. in English, Economics, Political Science, etc.

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Which Subjects are Best for BA?

Choosing the right BA subject for your degree can be a tough decision. The most popular Bachelor of Arts subjects include English Literature, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, and Language Studies. It is essential to assess where your interests lie to select the right subject that will be the best for your BA course!

Best BA Subject for UPSC Exams

The major BA subjects for UPSC Exams are History, Geography, Public Administration, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Environment, Ecology, Polity, and Science and Technology.
While picking the right subject for the BA for UPSC, you must consider those that you have a rough knowledge of and are interested in, as you will be able to cover their syllabus this way.

List of BA Subjects in Different BA Courses

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is one of the most popular undergraduate programs, offering a wide range of specializations across the humanities, social sciences, and languages. While the subjects may vary depending on the specialization, most BA courses include a mix of core, elective, and practical components. Below is a detailed list of BA courses along with their key subjects:

BA English Subjects

• Nineteenth-Century European Realism
• Literary Criticism
• World Literature
• American Literature
• European Classic Literature
• Postcolonial Literature
• Literature and Cinema
• Indian Classic Literature
• Modern European Drama
• British Literature (Various Eras)
• Post-World War II Literature
• British Romantic Literature
• English Poetry: Pre-Romantic to Victorian
• Women’s Writing
• Literary Theory
• English Drama: Elizabethan to Victorian

BA Economics Subjects

• Introductory Microeconomics
• Introductory Macroeconomics
• Introductory Econometrics
• Mathematical Methods for Economics
• Development Economics

BA Psychology Subjects

The BA Psychology program covers both theoretical and applied areas of psychology:

• Development Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Industrial Psychology
• Psychopathology
• Guidance and Counselling
• Project Work and Field Work
• Forensic Psychology
• Environmental Psychology
• Sports Psychology

BA Geography Subjects

• Analytical Physical Geography
• Cartographic Techniques
• Oceanography
• Environmental Geography
• Spatial Dimensions of Development
• Evolution of Geographical Thought
• Social Geography
• Disaster Management
• Regional Planning (Case Studies)
• Geographical Information System (GIS)
• Rural Development
• Geomorphology

BA Sociology Subjects

• Introduction to Sociology
• Criminology
• Economy and Society
• Gender Sensitisation
• Methods of Sociological Enquiry
• Religion and Society
• Sociological Theories
• Gender and Sexuality
• Techniques of Social Research

BA Anthropology Subjects

• Human Genetics
• Introduction to Social Anthropology
• Introduction to Biological Anthropology
• Primate Biology / Cell Biology
• Anthropology of Religion, Politics & Economy
• Biostatistics and Data Analysis
• Biological Diversity in Human Populations
• Human Ecology: Social and Cultural Dimensions
• Genetics & Genomics
• Statistics

BA Kannada Subjects

• History of Kannada Literature
• Old and Medieval Kannada Literature
• Cultural History of Kannada
• Kannada Folk Literature
• Traditional Kannada Grammar
• Linguistics
• Modern Kannada Literature

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Thus, the above-mentioned BA subjects are the important disciplines that constitute a bachelor’s degree program in Arts. Bachelor of Arts is a course that takes you deeper into the colossal field of Arts and helps you understand the theoretical and artistic disciplines it comprises. If you are planning to pursue a BA and don’t know where to start, Leverage Edu can help you find an ideal program and university that fits your interests and preferences to bring you closer to your dream career in the Arts.