Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part H (2025)

This study examines whether locus of control (LoC)—understood as an individual’s beliefs regarding the extent to which life outcomes are influenced by their own actions or by external factors—varies among students of Arts, Sciences, and Physical Education. Using purposive sampling, two hundred and seventy postgraduate students were recruited. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire on locus of control. Descriptive statistical techniques and one-way ANOVA were used to investigate group differences. The result indicated that postgraduate students of the three academic fields did not differ significantly from one another. Students across all three academic disciplines were identified under the category of “average" (Grade ‘D’), as per the LoC norms established by Bhutia & Nongtdu's (2018). This further suggests that students having an average level of internal Loc may believe that their success is controlled by external factors, and not by their own action or effort. This has been corroborated by several past studies, which have shown that individuals with a stronger internal locus of control tend to exhibit superior academic performance (Landis et al., 2007; Richardson et al., 2012). Furthermore, the findings suggest that fostering a strong internal locus of control within educational settings may contribute to enhancing student motivation and academic achievement.