Research Studies

The Ph.D programme in economics aims to provide a well-rounded and rigorous training in economics which will enable research scholars to address substantive question using economic theory and empirical methods. It aims to produce scholars alive to the multiplicity of disciplinary traditions in economics and the connections of these traditions to each other and to other branches of human knowledge.

Programme details

The normal duration of the programme is five years from the date of enrolment of the student. The programme is designed to be a full-time engagement for the students. No other degree will be awarded to students not successfully completing the programme. In the first-year students take the required course on research methods and elective courses in their areas of interest. Thereafter the student is required to produce a thesis presenting his/her original research with the help active supervision / mentoring from the programme faculty.

Research Advisory Committee

Each student admitted to the programme will be assigned a provisional Academic Advisor by the PhD programme faculty based on mutual interests of the students and respective faculty members. The provisional Academic Advisor will guide the student regarding the coursework to be undertaken based on the research interests of the student. The provisional Academic Advisor may or may not go on to become the Supervisor of the student with respect to his/her doctoral dissertation. At the end of the second semester, the students shall submit a thesis proposal and a Supervisor will be assigned to the student from among the full-time faculty members of the Economics group. Simultaneously, a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) will be formed for each student. The RAC will be chaired by the Supervisor and consist of at least two more faculty members from within or outside the University. Co‐supervisory arrangements are possible with experts and scholars outside the School who have the requisite academic credentials is possible with the permission of the Research Studies Committee (RSC) of the School in cases where such an arrangement would significantly enhance the quality of the scholar’s research.

Coursework

Each student admitted to programme must complete 16 credits of coursework. Of this, 8 credits of compulsory Research Methods courses must be completed in the first semester. Of this, two credits to be constituted by a core introductory module ‘Research Methods-1: Methods and Approaches to Economics’ and the other six credits to be earned from the course ‘Research Methods2’ by choosing from different tracks of three research methods electives, which will cover Mathematical Methods, Historical Methods and Political Economy, and Econometrics. In the second semester, the student must complete two 4-credit elective courses. Of the two Elective courses, the student may opt for ‘at most one’ elective course from other programmes in the University based on their research interests and with consultation and approval of the Academic Advisor and PhD Programme Coordinator.