I.D.E.A.S. launch M.Sc. Development Studies programme

 
The Office of Interdisciplinary Studies (I.D.E.A.S.) launched its M.Sc. in Development Studies programme on October 8 with an event at Jindal International Academy, New Delhi.

The launch featured a keynote by Mr. Amarjeet Sinha, retd. IAS and Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), who reflected on the evolving landscape of development policy in India. A panel comprising Prof. Sanjoy Roy (Delhi University), Prof. Hebatallah Adam (JGU), and Prof. Seema Kazi (Centre for Women's Development Studies), moderated by Dr. Gayatri Balu, brought diverse perspectives to the discussion.

Masterclass Series

The Masterclass Series of I.D.E.A.S. continued in October with several insightful sessions. 

On October 11, Dr. Vinod Vyasulu, Founder Center for Budget and Policy Studies, delivered an online lecture on ‘India's 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments: Some Reflections’.

The next Masterclass was an in-person session on October 29 on ‘Disrupting Conventional Notions of Freedom’ led by Prof. (Dr.) Naresh Singh, Professor, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, and Director, Centre for Complexity Economics and Applied Spirituality for Public Policy (CEASP).

Workshops

In October, I.D.E.A.S. concluded a two-day workshop titled ‘Researching the Contemporary: A Methods-Lab for Early Career Scholars’, which provided a platform for young researchers to collectively reflect on the everyday challenges, dilemmas, and learnings that shape fieldwork. The workshop was conceptualised under the Moulding Methods initiative, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies, University of Hyderabad.

The Reading Texts in the Social Sciences: A Masterclass and Workshop Series concluded on October 24. This two-part initiative, jointly organised by The Kashf Initiative and the I.D.E.A.S. Reading Circle, offered postgraduate students and early-career researchers a space to engage critically with the interpretation of social science texts. The final session, ‘Part 2: Close Reading Workshop & Masterclass’, featured a keynote lecture titled 'Re-reading J.S. Mill's On Liberty: Context, Concepts Contestations' by Professor Mark Philp (University of Warwick).

Reading Circle Initiative

The I.D.E.A.S. Reading Circle hosted a session on October 30 titled ‘How Did We End Up With This Election Commission of India?’ with Prof. Sandeep Suresh. The discussion traced the evolution of the Election Commission, examining constitutional debates, institutional reforms, and the shifting dynamics of electoral governance in India.

Nazariya

On International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (World Poverty Day) on October 17, I.D.E.A.S. International Politics and Development Constellation hosted an online lecture under the Nazariya series titled ‘Beyond the Breadline: Actionable Steps to End Poverty Now’.

Politics, Society and History Constellation

The I.D.E.A.S. Politics, Society and History Constellation organised the workshop ‘Youth, Higher Education, and Aspirations in Liberalizing India’ during October 24-25.