B.A.
Bachelor of Arts

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B.A. (General) stands for Bachelor of Arts in General Category. In general, Arts can be defined as a broad subdivision of culture composed of many expressive disciplines. The course can be pursued either as a Full Time Graduate Course or Part Time Graduate Course i.e. through Correspondence or Distance Education depending upon one’s choice. B.A. (General) is often referred as simply B.A. or B.A. Pass Course. It is General in the sense that it is not Subject Specific and one can choose a number of combinations of subjects, apart from 1-2 Compulsory Subjects. These combinations vary from institute to institute. These subjects can from the Liberal Arts, the Sciences, or both. Generally, a candidate needs to study 5-6 Subjects 1–2 Compulsory and 3 Electives in 6 Semesters.

Arts students have the option to choose to major and minor in English, French, any other linguistics course, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, History, Religious Studies and many more subject areas.

The duration of the course is 3 years, however in some countries this duration is 4 years especially in Canada, Japan, the Russian Federation, Scotland, United States etc. In India and other countries like, some of the European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore etc. have 3 years of duration for the course. Those candidates who are unable to clear it in 3 years can clear it in certain number of years depending upon the education policy. Most of the Institutes offer change of Elective Subjects in the 2nd year depending upon one’s performance or choice. Certain Institutes admit students who have passed 1st or 2nd year from another institute depending upon fulfilment of the institute's rules and regulations.

B.A. Course is one of the Oldest  known Courses and the most common course provided by almost all the educational institutes.

Some of the Subjects available in B.A. (General)

• Anthropology.
• Archaeology.
• Education.
• Economics.
• English.
• French.
• Geography.
• German.
• Hindi.
• History.
• Library Science.
• Literature.
• Mathematics.
• Philosophy.
• Political Science.
• Public Administration.
• Psychology.
• Sanskrit.
• Sociology.

What is the eligibility for joining B.A. (General)?

Bachelor of Arts Requirements:

Students passing successfully out of their H.S.C. examinations (10 + 2) from a recognised Education Board with Science, Arts or Commerce stream can opt for Bachelor of Arts. Generally 50% of marks are required but the percentage may vary from state to state and from institute to institute.

Structural outline of B.A. (General) Course as per Punjab University (2011)

• The B.A. (General) programme of study consists of 24 credits (each year of 8 credits), each credit having a value of 100 marks.
• A subject studied for the whole academic year shall carry 2 credits.
• All the theory papers and practical’s, irrespective of their credit value, shall be studied throughout the academic year.

The detail of the subjects to be studied in B.A. (General) First Year Examination, 2011 shall be as under :

Environment Education : 50 marks. This is a compulsory qualifying paper, which the students have to study in the B.A./B.Sc. 1st year. The students are required to qualify this paper either in the 1st year/2nd year/3rd year of the course. The examination will be conducted by the University.

Notes :

1. In subjects having practical’s, the theory papers and practical’s together will be of 2 credits value. The candidate will have to pass in theory and practical/s separately.
2.  Each paper of one credit shall be allocated 3 hours of teaching per week during each academic year. 3. However, for subjects having practical’s, three hours of teaching will be allocated to each theory paper and two hours for a practical per week, or as per requirement of the subject concerned.

Advantages of pursuing B.A. (General) Course

• Apart from Compulsory Subjects, there is a wide range of subjects to choose from. As such the course offers a wide range of postgraduate options and career opportunities.
• Bachelor of Arts is a flexible course allowing students to adapt to changing demands of the employment market and meet their career demands.
• Arts provides a set of general, portable and lasting skills vital to any career, such as the ability to research an issue, present an argument, analyse information, communicate clearly and relate well to people.
• It develops communication, research and analytical skills. For example the ability to analyse tasks, set priorities, and communicate goals to others.

Some of the Top Institutes providing B.A. (General) Course

• Delhi University.
• Calcutta University.
• Mumbai University.
• St. Joseph's College, Bangalore.
• Loyola College, Chennai.
• Christ University, Bangalore.
• Indira Gandhi National College

Career options after pursuing B.A. (General) Course

B.A. degree course opens up a wide range of opportunities for the students in journalism, advertising, management, marketing, administration, politics, public services, police force, teaching, psychology etc.

Some of the related job areas and fields for B.A. (General) candidates:

• Advertising .
• Broadcasting.
• Business Process Outsourcing Units.
• Civil Services.
• Community Service.
• Film Editing and Direction.
• Graphics and Printing Industry.
• International Relations.
• Journalism and Mass Communication.
• Law.
• Library and Information Science.
• Policing.
• Professional Writing.
• Public Administration.
• Public Planning.
• Religious Studies.
• Social Work.