BA Hons at NLSIU Bangalore Offline Course

NLSIU announces admission to its 3-year BA (Hons.) programme with the option of an additional 4th year in the research track. The academic year for the programme will commence on July 1, 2026.

Every student in the NLS BA (Hons.) programme will have the option of electing a major-minor combination, or a double major. These disciplines are: 1) History, 2) Sociology & Anthropology, 3) Economics, and 4) Politics.

The NLS BA is uniquely designed to include:

Common Core Foundational Courses: All first-year students, whether enrolled in the BA or BA LLB programme, will take a series of shared foundational courses to build a strong academic base. Click on the ‘Common Core’ tab on this page to know more.

Majors and Minors: Every student in the NLS BA (Hons.) programme will have the option of electing a major-minor combination, or a double major. The majors and minors will be in the same areas/disciplines that are currently taught within the BA LLB (Hons.) programme. These disciplines are: 1) History, 2) Sociology & Anthropology, 3) Economics, and 4) Politics. We will expand these areas and disciplines as our faculty strength and diversity enhances over the years. Over time, we hope to introduce Philosophy, Literature, Environment Studies, Data Analytics as majors and minors. Click on the ‘Majors & Minors’ tab on this page to know more.

Open Electives: Across the three years of the programme, students who are on the major-minor track, will have to take 36 credits worth of open electives, which may not have anything to do with the focal areas of their training.

Languages: An integral part of the curriculum is the opportunity to learn a selection of Indian languages. Read more about our Programme in Indian Languages and Literatures. 

Practice Courses: Students will engage in hands-on learning through practice courses in emerging fields like AI & Machine Learning, Film-making, Business Consulting, User Experience Research, Digital Journalism, Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship, Policy Advocacy and Analysis.

Internships: Students are required to complete at least one internship of at least one month’s duration in each year of the programme. Over the course of three years, students must complete the following four internships: Immersive, Professional, & Placement. Together, these form a core part of the programme’s experiential learning component and carry a total of 4 credits, awarded upon successful completion by the end of the third year. Internships will be assessed through a combination of internal and external evaluation reports, and a composite score will be assigned. Students who pursue the fourth-year research track are required to complete a Research Internship in addition to their other academic obligations.

Fourth Year (Research Track): In the fourth year, students invited to join the research track—based on their academic performance in the first three years, will undertake a 10,000-word dissertation based on original research, carrying 8 credits. In addition, they will earn 8 credits each through Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA), assigned to a faculty member or research centres at NLSIU. Students are also encouraged to take additional courses that support their dissertation work beyond the core credit requirements. Students who successfully complete the fourth year will graduate with a B.A. (Hons. with Research) degree.

Orientation to Professional Life: This pass/fail course, offered in the first trimester of the first year, is designed to equip students with a broad set of functional competencies and value-based orientations aligned with the highest standards of professional life. It introduces students to key aspects of interpersonal conduct and conflict resolution in a diverse society, while also fostering habits of tolerance, coexistence, and respectful engagement.The course supports students in navigating academic life at the university, understanding potential career pathways, and developing professional communication and ethical conduct. It also builds capacity in public speaking, leadership, teamwork, and time management, while encouraging attention to mental health, well-being, and the cultivation of a mindset oriented towards learning and growth. Through these varied concerns, the course aims to foster self-awareness, social responsibility, and professional readiness as students begin their academic journey at NLSIU.