Postgraduate Studies

1. Entrance process (test, interview, cut-offs, etc.):

The admissions are based on a written entrance test and interview of shortlisted candidates. The written entrance test includes multiple choice questions as well as subjective questions. The written entrance is for 75 marks. The interview carries 25 marks. The final admission is according to the merit list based on the total marks accrued in the written entrance and interview together. All the reservation norms of the Government of NCT of Delhi and Ambedkar University Delhi are followed.

2. Programme scheduling (semesters; years; whether includes inter-semester breaks or not; etc.):

The programme is for four semesters over two years with an inter-semester break after each semester. The University rules for promotion and graduation apply. In each semester the student is required to complete 16 credits. Of the total 64 credits, 40 credits are to be completed through compulsory courses and students can opt for elective courses for up to 24 credits. At least 12 credits for elective courses must come from electives offered by the MA Economics programme.

3. What are the intended aims of the programme?

The Masters Programme in Economics will attempt to provide students with a rigorous and in-depth advanced training in economic analysis, with a particular emphasis on equipping them with the ability to comprehend and think about contemporary economic issues including the challenges confronting developing countries like India. It will equip students for careers in government agencies, the corporate and financial sectors, development organisations, the media, and also in academia (including further studies).

4. How does the programme link with the vision of AUD?

The programme will draw on different theoretical perspectives and traditions within the discipline, bring in perspectives from outside the discipline on contemporary social phenomenon, and use creative pedagogical approaches to offer a well-rounded training that would enable students to achieve a variety of objectives simultaneously: in keeping with the University’s vision, develop a socio-political and historical perspectiveon the economy and the discipline which analyses it; master the quantitative techniques which are used extensively in economic analysis; understand and learn to analyse contemporary economic issues at the global and national levels; and acquire skills for absorbing and communicating economic ideas on the ‘social’.

5. How is the proposed programme positioned vis-à- vis the programmatic scheme envisaged for the School at its inception? How does the programme link with other programme(s) of the School?

AUD is one of the few universities in India with the core objective of promoting the study of humanities and social sciences and it recognises these disciplines as pivotal to the understanding and imagination of a society in transition. The School of Liberal Studies is one of the important schools of the university which seeks to house the core social science disciplines providing academic training in Economics, History, Sociology, Mathematics, English and Hindi. An M.A. programme in Economics is integral to this vision of the school and the university. The faculty teaching the courses for M.A. Economics are also responsible for bulk of the teaching of economics for the students of the School of Undergraduate Studies. At the post-graduate level, some of the courses offered by the programme are also open for students of SLS from other disciplines as well as students from other schools. In this manner the programme facilitates opportunities for inter-disciplinary training for students who may wish to pursue the same.

5. Does the programme connect to, build on or overlap with any other programmes offered in the University? Is it offered in collaboration with any School/Centre at AUD (if yes, please specify the nature of collaboration)?

No.

6. How is it positioned in relation to other similar programmes in the field?

The M.A. Economics programme is comparable to any postgraduate programme in any reputed university in the country. It takes care to provide training in the basic foundations of the discipline, exposing the students to both mainstream and heterodox approaches. The courses include current literature and expose the students to some of the contemporary research in the discipline. Mathematical and statistical techniques are emphasised upon making our students competent to deal with a wide range of literature. Electives are offered across different areas of the discipline providing an opportunity to the students to specialise in a sub-discipline if they wish to.

7. Is there a sufficiently defined body of knowledge and literature to support the programme?

Yes – a lot is now also available as e-resources

8. What are the program specific graduate attributes?

In line with the objectives of the University, the economics programme aspires to see the following attributes in its graduating students:

Ability to read and write analytically using the techniques, language and idiom of the discipline

• A scientific temper that enables them to objectively analyse an economic issue by drawing on the existing body of knowledge in the discipline
• Sensitivity to the community that they are a part of and an inclination towards contributing to the society through their work
• The ability to conduct reasoned analysis of contemporary economic problems; critically evaluate practices, policies and theories in economics; and apply their learning to real life situations
• The ability to analyse, interpret and draw conclusions from data using appropriate statistical techniques
• The ability to confidently share their views and opinions related to economic aspects, especially developments in the Indian economy

9. What are the professional trajectories that the graduates of the programme may pursue?

Graduates of the M.A. Economics programme will have a number of options to pursue their professional lives. Students can look for career opportunities in government agencies such as the various Ministries, RBI, Niti Aayog etc. They can prepare for the civil services examination as well as for the Indian Economic Services. Students also have the option of joining the corporate and financial sectors. They will also have prospects in the development sector and media. Students will also be equipped for further academic research in Economics and allied disciplines.

10. Are there sufficient in-house faculty resources available for the programme? If not, please provide an estimate of additional faculty resources required.

Of the sanctioned posts there are currently two positions vacant positions which need to be filled as soon as possible. With these filled, there will be ___ members responsible for the BA, MA and Phd programmes. Additional faculty?? Bring back old note (made when Karampura was proposed)???