7 Hot Topics on Political Science Research in India
India, the world’s largest democracy, provides a unique ground for exploring political science research topics. In this vast nation, leaders of individual states and the prime minister at the national level are chosen through public elections held in different years. This recurring cycle of democratic participation opens up endless opportunities for scholars, students, and psephologists to study elections, voter behavior, party preferences, and the shifting mood of citizens. Such research not only deepens our understanding of Indian politics but also enriches global democratic studies.
1. Voter Preferences and Candidate Image
Understanding what drives Indian citizens to vote for a particular candidate during Lok Sabha as well as Vidhan Sabha elections in India, is the key to this topic on political science research. Are voters influenced by local candidate popularity, party manifesto promises, or campaign exposure? Do unfulfilled promises shift voter loyalty over time?
Example Survey Questions:
- What factors influence your choice of candidate in your constituency?
- Do unfulfilled manifesto promises affect your voting decision?
ThinkSurvey Tip: Include comparative analysis between urban and rural constituencies to uncover how local candidate reputation versus national party loyalty plays out across regions. This researcher surveyed 500 participants across 29 states and union territories of India to study voter preference criteria ahead of General elections.
2. Political Party Loyalty and Voter Stickiness
Another hot topic for your next political science research project. This area explores why some voters remain loyal to a single party over decades. Awareness of party history, achievements, controversies, and ideological positions all shape this “stickiness.” It is also useful to examine whether citizens’ attitudes are inherited (family/community influence) or self-formed.
Example Survey Questions:
- Do you generally vote for the same political party across elections?
- What factors strengthen your trust or distrust in a political party?
Live Example: This researcher from IIM Kozhikode enhance their data collection process by online surveying 500 participants from 74 cities across India to study tipping point in political choice, when voters are forced to reconsider their choices for a favoured candidate.
3. Influence of Social Media and Fake News on Elections
Social media has become a powerful political tool. Platforms like WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and Instagram play major roles in shaping voter perceptions – sometimes via memes, influencer endorsements, and misinformation. This research idea on political science focuses on whether citizens can detect fake news, how frequently they encounter it, and to what extent it affects their choices.
Example Survey Questions:
- Have you ever come across political news online that you later discovered was fake?
- How much does social media influence your political opinion?
Live Example: In one of the comprehensively carried out novel experiments, this researcher ran a comparative study on the role of social media in spreading fakes news, where he studied on which platform voters are more susceptible to exposure of fake news during elections in India.
4. Political Campaigns, Advertising, and Manifestos
Campaign promises, rallies, and advertisements are critical in voter persuasion. Research can test whether political ads resonate with voters, reach the right audiences, and create lasting recall. Similarly, do manifestos influence trust in the party, or are they seen as symbolic documents?
Example Survey Questions:
- Do you recall any specific political advertisement from the last election?
- How much do campaign promises influence your voting decision?
Research Tip: In this field of political science research, run a national level study surveying more than 5000 participants. Evaluate whether the political advertisements used by all the regional and national parties are conveying the right message, are they reaching to the right audience, are voters able to connect themselves with that particular party, and what is the recall value of those political advertisements.
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5. Identity-Based Voting: Caste, Religion, and Regional Politics
Caste and religion continue to play defining roles in Indian politics. In this area of political science project the researchers can examine whether these identities override developmental promises or campaign messaging. Regional differences (e.g., caste politics in UP and Bihar versus Maharashtra’s regional party influence) provide deeper insights into voter behaviour.
Example Survey Questions:
- To what extent does caste or religion influence your voting decision?
- Do you think development or identity matters more in choosing a candidate?
ThinkSurvey Tip: Run a national level survey ensuring an almost equal distribution of participants from each state/union territory for an unbiased analysis. Read these 5 best practices before starting data collection for your academic research.
6. First-Time Voters and Youth Participation
India’s growing young population makes first-time voters a key demographic. What motivates Gen Z to vote: political enthusiasm, issue-based activism, or peer/family influence? Studies can compare youth participation across rural and urban settings, shedding light on voter apathy or enthusiasm.
Example Survey Questions:
- Did you cast your vote in the last election? If not, why?
- What issues matter most to you as a young voter (e.g., jobs, education, climate)?
Research Tip: Create cohorts of eligible youths from rural, semi-urban, urban, and metro cities. Evaluate the factors and priorities which will drive them to cast their first vote.
7. Gender and Voting Patterns
Women’s participation in Indian elections has seen a steady rise, with female turnout even surpassing men’s in some states. This area of political science research can examine drivers of this surge such as – government welfare schemes, self-help groups, or grassroots mobilization
Example Survey Questions:
- Have you noticed more women in your area voting compared to previous elections?
- What factors motivate or discourage women from participating in elections?
Research Tip: The best start for this study would be to explore fi women are still facing barriers in patriarchal or conflict-prone regions. And how other regions have overcome these challenges.
How to choose the right topic for political science project?
Choosing the right political science research topic is often the first challenge for students and scholars for their academic research. Whether you are preparing a thesis, dissertation, or classroom project, selecting a subject that is both relevant and researchable is key. This list of political science research ideas and project topics covers diverse themes – ranging from international relations to public policy – designed to spark inspiration and guide your academic journey.
- Start by scanning the literature: Explore academic journals, conference papers, and recent political debates. This helps you identify broad areas of interest and narrow them to themes that genuinely excite you – motivation is crucial when studying political science.
- Look for knowledge gaps: In political science, these could be unexplored patterns in voter behaviour, under-researched policy outcomes, or comparative studies between regions. Review articles, discussion sections, and even casual academic conversations can reveal promising gaps worth pursuing.
- Refine: Refine your focus into clear research questions or hypotheses. Assess whether they are feasible given your skills, available data, and timeline.
- Ask for feedback: Share your ideas with professors, peers, or mentors. Their feedback often uncovers blind spots and strengthens your approach. Once confident, translate your topic into a concrete study design with clear methods and milestones.
Strong political science research topics not only enhance academic work but also deepen understanding of governance, policy, and global affairs. The right project or dissertation idea can shape meaningful discussions and contribute to scholarly debates. Use these curated political science research ideas and project topics as a foundation to refine your study, align with your interests, and achieve academic success.
