Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

The PhD Program in Economics is a doctoral level research program which usually spans over five years. This includes one year of rigorous coursework and about four years of intensive research under the supervision of a Research Advisory Committee, resulting in production of a thesis containing at least three academic research papers, contributing to expanding the frontiers of knowledge in the discipline. The research scholars in the PhD program typically publish their research in major international journals of repute and also regularly present their work in major international conferences. In the past, after completing their PhDs, our research scholars have successfully received job offers either as faculty members or post-doctoral researchers in major universities in SAARC region as well as US, UK and Europe as well as from various international organizations like United Nations and World Bank, research thinktanks and corporate sector.

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 17 years of formal education, i.e.12 years of regular schooling followed by either a 3-year Bachelor’s degree and a 2-year Master’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree and a 1-year Master’s degree, leading to an MA/MSc degree in Economics or related specializations. The degrees must be obtained from an institution recognized by the government of any SAARC country, with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks or an equivalent grade.

Candidates with 4-year Bachelor degree in the subject are also eligible for admission to PhD programme provided they have secured a minimum of 75% marks or equivalent grade.

Modes of Admission

Admission to various PhD programmes is offered through two modes:

1. SAU Entrance Test Mode:

• For Indian Candidates: Center-based online tests conducted by the University on stipulated dates.
• For other SAARC Candidates (excluding India): Proctored online tests on stipulated dates.

2. Direct Admission Mode (Without SAU Entrance Test):

• In India: Based on scores from national-level tests.
• In Other SAARC Countries: Based on national-level test scores or qualifying examination results from recognized institutions/boards.
• For Non-SAARC Candidates: Based on scores obtained in their qualifying examination (from recognized institutions).

Under the Entrance Test mode, the admission procedure for the PhD programme consists of an Entrance Test followed by an interview.
Under the Direct and Executive modes, candidates will be shortlisted and called directly for the interview.
For further details, please refer to the General Guidelines for the PhD Programmes.

The number of scholarship seats through the Entrance Test mode is 2, while the number of seats through the Direct & Executive mode shall be based on availability.

• The duration of the Entrance Test will be 2 hours.
• The question paper will consist of 70 multiple choice questions.
• There will be no negative marking.

Multiple choice questions covering the areas of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Mathematical Methods, Statistical & Econometric Methods, and Development Economics.