Development, as a concept, has often been understood as a process that offers contradictory outcomes for countries in the Global South. As a rapidly developing nation, India faces multifaceted challenges requiring innovative and interdisciplinary solutions. For example, even as the last decade has seen a steady increase in GDP and educational attainment in India, youth unemployment has also increased, a phenomenon that some call jobless growth. As countries in the Global South strive for GDP growth and development, their people, particularly those from poor and marginalised communities, are becoming even more vulnerable to the climate crisis that results from unbridled growth. The MSc in Development Studies at IDEAS aims to equip students with theoretical knowledge, fieldwork experiences, and practical skills to examine and address these difficult challenges.

By focusing on a combination of theory, skills, experimental and real-world experiences, the programme prepares students to bridge the gap between societal need, policy design, and implementation while centring inclusion and people's well-being. Alongside addressing development challenges, ensuring our students' employability has been a principal factor in conceptualising the programme.

Catering to both working professionals and fresh graduates, the Development Studies programme is designed to include several skills and research-based courses that prepare students for successful careers in the development sector and beyond. Classes will be held in an online mode, enabling students to pursue the programme from any location, while managing their jobs or other commitments.

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1. Recent graduates from diverse disciplines, sciences, humanities and commerce.
2. Working professionals and independent researchers.

Programme Fee (One Year): 2,50,000 INR

• Innovative pedagogies and interactive classroom environment. 
• Training in qualitative and quantitative methods. 
• Engagement with practitioners through IDEAS initiatives. 
• Blend of classroom and experiential learning. 
• Extensive toolkit of transferable skills. 
• Training in dissertation research and writing for aspiring researchers and PhD aspirants. 
• Strategic location at New Delhi. 
• Wide range of careers in social sector (as programme managers, coordinators, evaluators). 
• Policy and development consultancy. 
• Data analytics and Data Journalism. 
• Researcher/Academia. 
• Development Journalism. 
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 
• Social entrepreneurship.

Year 1

*Dissertation policy on choosing faculty mentors, details of dissertation committee, and mentorship guidelines details are available separately. The dissertation is 10 credits, whereas all the courses are 5 credits each.

Year 2 (Optional)

The 2nd year M. Res program will be an optional, research-based program, focusing on Evidence-Gap analysis, Monitoring and Impact Evolution, and a research dissertation. Students will get an opportunity to engage deeply with IDEASX workshops and our other initiatives, such as the Grassroots Action Program and Solidarities.