MA Development Studies is a two-year postgraduate degree in Arts that provides a critical engagement with the social sciences from interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary topics to form a deep understanding of the concepts and experiences of development. The course provides modern and cutting-edge research methodologies, tools, and techniques to study and analyse society and issues in development.
The MA Development Studies eligibility criteria includes clearing a Bachelor's degree from any discipline with a minimum 45-50% aggregate marks, with a relaxation of 5% marks for the reserved category. Most of the colleges offer admission to the MA Development Studies on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying degree, while a few colleges might offer admission on the of merit entrance test such as CUET-PG or GATE for IITs.
The course fee of MA Development Studies in government and private colleges ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 3,00,000 per year. Some of the top Universities/ Colleges offering MA in Development Studies are Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Azim Premji University, IIT Madras, Dr. Ambedkar University, IIT Guwahati, and many more.
On Completion of MA Development Studies, the graduates can get jobs as Program Manager, Policy Analysts, Development Officer Salary and CSR Officer Analyst with salaries ranging from INR 3 LPA - 9 LPA.
Table of Contents
- MA Development Studies Highlights
- What is MA Development Studies?
- Why should one study MA Development Studies?
- Who should pursue an MA in Development Studies?
- MA Development Studies Eligibility Criteria
- MA Development Studies Entrance Test
- MA Development Studies Colleges
- MA Development Studies Admission Process
- MA Development Studies Syllabus
- MA Development Studies Jobs and Salary
- MA Development Studies FAQs
MA Development Studies Highlights
The important details of MA Development Studies are summarised in the table below:
What is MA Development Studies?
MA Development Studies is a two-year postgraduate degree in the Arts that equips students with knowledge that helps them to face the complex global, regional, and local Development challenges. The course includes an in-depth study of areas such as sociology, anthropology, history, and science and technology studies, which helps the student to develop social and Development research skills. After MA Development Studies, one can land jobs in both the Government and private sector, such as NGOs or in research roles.
Why should one study MA Development Studies?
The reasons for pursuing an MA in Development Studies are as follows:
- Offers Interdisciplinary knowledge of various economics, sociology, political science, and environmental topics.
- Impart skills that enable the student to face global challenges in developed and developing countries.
- Work opportunities in the Government and Private sector in NGOs, Academia, and Research roles.
- Builds Analytical and Critical thinking skills, which prepares for PhD and Research roles.
- Foundation for a career in civil services.
Who should pursue an MA in Development Studies?
The people who fall into the following criteria are best suitable for the MA in Development Studies:
- Interested in solving social Development issues such as poverty, inequality, education, health, gender, or climate change.
- Employees working in NGOs and the Development Sector.
- Aspiring Researchers and Academicians.
- Social Science and Humanities graduates.
- Civil Service aspirants.
MA Development Studies Eligibility Criteria
The Eligibility criteria for MA Development Studies include the following points:
- Having cleared a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized board.
- A minimum of 45-50% in the qualifying degree, with 5% relaxation for the reserved category.
- Few of the colleges consider the score of the GATE or CUET PG entrance test, or the test conducted by the colleges.
MA Development Studies Entrance Test
Generally, admission to the MA Development Studies is through merit of a qualifying degree. Few Colleges require a valid score on entrance tests such as GATE or CUET PG for admission to MA Development Studies. The important details of the entrance test for MA Development Studies are given below:
MA Development Studies Colleges
The information about the top colleges in India offering MA Development Studies are given below:
MA Development Studies Admission Process
The Admission Process of MA Development Studies is similar in all universities. The MA Development Studies admission process of Tata Institute of Social Science is given for your reference:
Step 1: Register at the admission portal of the University with a valid Email ID and password. Fill in the OTP received in the email ID to complete the registration process.
Step 2: After Registration, go to the Login page and log in with the credentials received after Registration.
Step 3: Fill the application form with personal details like address, place of birth, and family details, and bank details for payment.
Step 4: Select the program: MA Development Studies and pay the registration fees through the online gateway.
Step 5: Upload the documents as asked for: Academic and other certificates, such as entrance test scores.
Step 6: The admission is granted once the documents are verified and announced on the website.
MA Development Studies Syllabus
The syllabus of the MA Development Studies is similar in all colleges with minor variations. The MA Development Syllabus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences is given for your reference:
MA Development Studies Jobs and Salary
The MA Development Studies graduates get jobs in both the private and government sectors. The details about the jobs are given below:
MA Development Studies FAQs
What kind of students typically pursue an MA in Development Studies?
This course is best for those students who are passionate about social justice, equality, and making an impact in society. Many come from backgrounds in the humanities, social sciences who wish to work in policy and grassroots work. It suits individuals who are socially aware, and interested in working with marginalized communities.
Is there a practical or fieldwork component in the MA Development Studies?
Yes, most programs incorporate fieldwork, internships, or live projects as an essential component. Students often engage with NGOs or government schemes to gain hands-on exposure. This experience helps bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application. It also enhances job readiness and provides valuable networking opportunities.
What kind of research work do MA Development Studies students engage in?
Research in Development Studies is often rooted in societal challenges. Students undertake dissertations or term papers on topics like gender inequality, caste discrimination, education access, environmental justice and public health. They collect primary data through surveys, interviews, and field visits. This gives them strong research skills.
