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M.A. Economics (with specialisation in the World Economy)

Introduction

A new and unique Master’s programme (M.A.) in Economics was introduced by the department in 1995/96. Keeping in mind the changing economic environment of India and its growing integration with the global economy, this new M.A. programme was designed with a clear emphasis on emerging global issues like trade, technology, environment, natural resources, currency and finance, regulatory economics, information economics, which makes it unique and distinct from conventional M.A. programmes in economics offered elsewhere in India. The programme provides sound theoretical background in the principles of Economics and equips students with analytical tools and techniques for understanding the evolution of the world economy. Apart from preparing students for advanced research work, the programme also aims at training students as professional economists for the government, non-government and the corporate sectors.

 The broad objectives of the M.A programme:

  • To teach the latest developments in the principles of economic theory
  • To teach applications of theories in analysing current economic problems
  • To equip students with tools of econometrics for applied economic research
  • To impart a first hand experience of how professional economists function in various government, semi-government and corporate organisations though the summer internship programme

This MA programme proved to be highly successful and a most popular MA Economics programme in the country. This is evident from the increasing number of applications we receive every year (exceeding 1000+ for only 20 seats). In less than a decade, MA’s from our department have already started establishing themselves as successful economists in the academic and the corporate world.

After completing the MA, our students have gone for higher studies in India and abroad including some of the top schools of the world (LSE, Princeton, Yale, Rochester, NYU, Ohio State and many more). Some have received lucrative job offers from the top corporates (GE, HSBC, ICICI, Infosys, American Express, Exim Bank, CII, Churchill India among others). There is an active placement cell in the Centre run by students themselves.

Course Structure
The M.A. in Economics (with specialization in the world economy) is a full-time programme of study spanning two years. Each year is divided into two semesters – the monsoon semester and the winter semester.

On the whole the student has to study nine core and seven optional courses, each carrying a credit of 4 points.

The nine core courses are allocated over the semesters as follows:

 First Semester – Monsoon

IE 401 Microeconomics I - Saptarshi Mukherjee
IE 402 Macroeconomics I
IE 408 Introduction to Statistics and Econometrics - Aparna Sawhney
IE 404 Mathematical Methods of Economics

Second Semester -- Winter

IE 405 Microeconomics II - Sangeeta Bansal
IE 406 Macroeconomics II - Meeta K. Mehra
IE 407 Theory of International Trade - Alokesh barua
IE 403 Economics Development I

Third Semester -- Monsoon

IE 505 Balance of Payments - Abhijit Sen Gupta

The seven optional papers that run through the third and fourth semesters are to be
selected from amongst a wide range of courses:

IE                    Topics in Mathematical Economics

IE 510              Environmental Economics - Meeta K. Mehra & Sangeeta Bansal

IE 515              Natural Resource Economics - Alokesh Barua

IE 518              Corporate Finance

IE                    Investment Finance and Economic Policy

IE 523              Banking, Regulation and Financial Stability

IE 504              Advanced Econometrics - K. L. Krishna

IE 514              Applied Econometrics - Mandira Sarma

IE 521              Economics of Technology and Development - Amit Shovon Roy

IE 516              Transnational Corporations, Technology Transfer and R&D - Manoj Pant

IE 502              Recent Developments in Trade Theory - Manoj Pant

IE 513              Introduction to the World Economy

IE 522              Public Economics

IE 524              Economic Regulation - Meeta K Mehra

IE 520              Law and Economics - Shubhashis Gangopadhyay

(New Course)    Information Economics and its Application - Sangeeta Bansal
(New Course)    International Trade, Environment and Multilateral Institutions - Aparna Sawhney

Eligibility
The eligibility for programme is a Bachelor’s degree in Economics / Mathematics / Statistics / Physics / Engineering under the 10+2+3 pattern of education with at least 50% marks in aggregate and with either Mathematics or Statistics as a subject.

Admissions Procedure
The admission to the programme is through an all-India written test. The test is intended to evaluate the knowledge of candidates in micro-economics, macro-economics, mathematics, and statistics and some related subjects such as public economics and economic development.  Basically, two types of questions have to be answered in the three-hour test: (i) questions requiring precise and short answers, and (ii) essay-type questions with specified word limits. Sets of previous questions papers for the programme can be obtained from the University at a nominal cost. 

More than 1000 applications are received for the 20 seats in our MA programme.

Foreign students are exempt from appearing for the written test. They can apply for admission directly as per JNU guidelines given in the prospectus.  (International Students)

Evaluation and Grading System
The minimum credit requirement for the programme is 64. This is over duration of four semesters, extendable by two extra semesters.  Each student is graded in each course as per JNU grading norms
(see Prospectus for more details)

At CITD, special emphasis is laid on developing the articulation skills of students. Many of the courses are evaluated on the basis of mid- and end-semester written examinations as well as class presentations and term papers. Besides, every student has to participate in a weekly departmental student seminar cum debate on issues of current economic interest.