Some of the places where you can study Economics

Delhi: The Delhi School of Economics is perhaps undisputed in its claim to the traditional citadel of learning. The list of people who have taught here at one time or the other reads like a veritable who’s who in economics Amartya Sen, Sukhomoy Chakraborty, and the architect of the Indian economic reforms, Manmohan Singh. The centre for Development Economics at the D’ School was started in 1992 with the objective of supporting fundamental and policy research in economics. The D’ School offers facilities for postgraduate research studies, both theoretical and applied, whole at the institute of Economic Growth (its twin), the leanings are towards applied research. Delhi’s Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) is synonymous with interdisciplinary work JNU’s School of Social studies, with its seven different centres, aims to dismantle narrow disciplinary compartments found in traditional academic structures. Masters in Business Economics conducted by Delhi University that lays stress on economic applications in business.

Thiruvonanthapuram: Another haven of inter-disciplinary and applied research work at both the M. Phil and Ph D. levels is the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) at Thiruvananthapuram. This is a premier research institution established by the eminent economist K N Raj and boasts of other outstanding names like Krishnaji, I. s. Gulati, T. N. Krishnan, A Vaidyanathan to mention a few.

Bangalore: The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) at Bangalore offers specialisation areas which are of current social relevance such as gender studies, dalit studies, decentralised governance, Institutional studies, irrigation economics and rural development. (Interestingly, the ISEC was one of the three premier institutions founded by V. K. R. V. Rao, the other two being the Delhi School Economics and the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi

Mumbai: The Mumbai University is one of the best in the country for higher studies in economics. Mumbai also boasts of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), a deemed university established by the Reserve Bank of India as an advanced research institution. Among others, the IGIDR offers facilities for specialisation in energy economics and environmental studies.

Chennai: Besides the University, the Madras Institute of Development Studies is associated with renowned names such as S. Kuchan. The Madras school of Economics is a centre of advanced learning with a major emphasis on sunrise areas like environment. Like the IGIDR in Mumbai, the Madras School of Economics is also takes postgraduates from engineering, mathematics and statistics for academic work in economics in areas such as energy economics, environmental economics and industrial economics. The M. S Swaminathan Research Foundation is another resource centre for studies in gender, development and bio-diversity.  

Indian Statistical Institute (ISI): If you are mathematically inclined and like to grapple with the intricacies of econometrics, general equilibrium models, game theory and macro economics, besides analysing economic problems with mathematical and econometric tools, then the ISI is the place for you with centres in Calcutta, Bangalore and Delhi. Founded in 1932 by P. C. Mahalnobis, the ISI at Calcutta is one of the oldest and foremost institutions for training in statistics and related fields and recognised as an institution of national importance. The Master of Science (MS) degree course in quantitative economics, introduced in 1995, is two-year advanced course in econometrics and its applications. The course equips the graduates for an academic career in economics or positions in the public or private sectors. The ISI also offers facilities for Ph D work, which includes economic theory/ applications, Indian economic problems and game theory. At the Bangalore centre, you can also do advanced research work in decentralised mechanisms, poverty analysis and agricultural economics.