M.A. in Developmental Studies

MA in Development Studies Introduction

MA in Development Studies, a 2-year Postgraduate course is centered on the quick changes and advancements happening all across the world. Post-graduate study an MA in Development Studies is available in both the arts and sciences. MA in Development Studies covers core concepts of several subjects, including economics, geography, society, and human growth.

This article will assist you regarding the specifics of an MA in Development Studies. Before choosing a subject one must completely gather information regarding that particular course. Get to know about the eligibility, admission process, and top colleges in India for MA in Development Studies. This article contains the syllabus that the student will have to study in this course.

All the job opportunities, scope, and career for a MA in Development Studies graduate that are available in India in the Private as well as Public sectors are listed in this article. How much will this course let you earn? Get to know about the salary that you’ll get after gaining a MA in Development Studies.

What is MA in Development Studies? The Arts stream offers a 2-year postgraduate program called MA in Development Studies. This course’s objective is to provide students with knowledge of historical shifts in the structure of the state, social institutions, and civil society, as well as their growing effects on developing nations like India.

MA in Development Studies is made to assist students in developing a thorough understanding of Sociology, Political Science, and other related fields like Economics and Geography. A successful career in policymaking can be started with an MA in Development Studies.

What abilities are needed for development studies? Graduates in development studies have a variety of positions that typically call for

• Creative and critical thinking,
• Research,
• Problem-solving, and
• Good verbal and
• Written communication abilities.

Students taking the MA in Development Studies course are required to learn about topics in sociology, political science, and economics, among other related fields. The course is multidisciplinary since it is crucial to keep in mind the distinctive context of the community while developing public policy.

For individuals who want to understand the mechanics of development in a developing nation like India, this course is ideal.

To address the problems of poverty and economic inequality, the area of development studies combines social sciences and international relations. Students who pursue higher degrees are prepared for occupations that address the issues caused by these disparities.

Students will learn about project management, behavioral science, and foreign languages, and conduct a lot of fieldwork in this course.

Why should I pursue an MA in Development Studies? The benefits of pursuing an MA in Development Studies are listed below;

• There are many employment choices available to someone with an MA. Students can work in various fields after graduation.
• Students who complete this degree can find employment in a variety of government and corporate sectors, as well as consultancies, PSUs, NGOs, and research institutions.
• They may work as an educator, consultants, administrator, social worker, or managers of enterprise accounts.
• You will be able to make a respectable salary package thanks to the variety of job profiles and career sectors available to you. The typical pay ranges from RS. 2 -7 LPA.
• After completion, holders of an MA degree have the opportunity to explore a variety of businesses, including banks, advertising agencies, corporations, consulting firms, hotels, sales and marketing, human resources, and foreign trade.
• Courses include a strong emphasis on advocacy, networking, and communication to prepare successful candidates to lead change.
• There are specializations available in development about sociology, politics, conflict, and economics. Many programs require an internship and encourage international study.
• Many students decide to become entrepreneurs after completing the program. This is because an MA postgraduate is knowledgeable about consulting, finance, and insurance, which helps them launch a small-scale (MSME) business and strive toward being a prosperous entrepreneur.
• It aids in the formation of an informed viewpoint on the methods of community development used in many nations, particularly India. Students admitted into the program gain knowledge of the different problems and constraints that limit the growth of a particular community.

MA in Development Studies Highlights

MA in Development Studies is mainly an arts stream degree program. This course’s objective is to give students knowledge of historical developments in the structure of the state, social institutions, and civil society.

Course	MA in Development Studies
Full Form	Master of Arts in Development Studies
Degree Level	Postgraduate
Duration	2 Years (4 semesters)
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree with an aggregate of at least 50% marks.
Average Annual Fees	Rs. 10k – 2 L (depends on various institutions)
Average Annual Salary	Rs. 2L – 7L
Top Recruiting Sectors	Consultancies, NGOs, PSUs, Corporate Organizations, etc.
Job Profiles	Policy Maker, Researcher, Social Worker, Academician, etc.

MA in Development Studies Admission Process

Depending on the university, the MA in Development Studies admissions process can change. Based on merit, certain colleges admit students to this program. Some of the colleges choose to admit suitable applicants after administering entrance tests.

The details of eligibility for admission to MA in Development Studies and the admission process both merit-based and entrance based are given below along with some of the Top universities’ entrance exam details.

Merit-based admission

• The MA Development Studies Admissions Process may change by university policies. Based on merit, certain colleges admit students to this program.
• With merit-based admission, students are admitted to MA Development Studies programs at institutions based on their graduation-level results.

Entrance-based admission

• Some of the best colleges in India Favor holding entrance examinations to admit competent applicants.
• Candidates’ performance in the entrance tests held by the admission authorities or their performance in the Bachelor's degree exams will determine if they are admitted to this course.

MA in Development Studies Eligibility: Students must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized institution with an overall average of at least 50% to apply to this program. 

MA in Development Studies Entrance Exams: Following are some of the entrance examinations conducted to provide admission to students in MA in Development Studies.

• JNUEE / JNU CUET
• TISSNET
• AUAT
• PU CET
• AUCET
• DUET

Below are the details of the entrance examinations.

1. JNUEE/ JNU CUET: Jawaharlal Nehru University accepted the CUET mode of test for admission of students in PG and UG admission. It is one of India’s top-ranked universities for postgraduate and research studies. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), a central public university, has been given the title of “University of Excellence” by the UGC.

2. TISSNET: TISS-NET is a computer-based test with 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions. Candidates applying for single or multiple programs need to attend only one test and the TISS-NET Score will be valid for all the programs applied for.

No Negative marking is applicable for TISS-NET for any program. The duration of the test is 1 hour 40 minutes.                          

3. AUAT: Aliah University, Kolkata (W.B) conducts the AUAT Aliah University Admission Test. AUAT is a qualifying examination for admission to Aliah University's many UG and PG programs in several fields of professional study.

The test duration is 2 hours.

4. PU CET: Punjab University Common Entrance Test (PU CET) is a state-level entrance exam held by Punjab University, Chandigarh for individuals seeking admission to various UG and PG programs.

The PU CET PG is conducted for the admission of students to PG programs. The time duration for this test is 90 minutes.

5. AUCET: Andhra University Engineering Entrance Test is conducted for admission of students in Andhra University. The AUCET Entrance Test is a pen-and-paper test. The total time allowed to finish the test is 1 hour and 30 minutes. The questions in the paper are of the objective type multiple-choice kind.

6. DUET: The National Testing Agency (NTA) organizes the Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) to select deserving and skilled applicants for admission to various UG, PG, M.Phil, and Ph.D. programs at Delhi University. The time duration is 2 hours.

MA in Development Studies Syllabus

The main topics covered in this course are public policy and development’s numerous aspects and challenges.

The MA in Development Studies syllabus covers a wide range of topics, including geography, society, economics, and human growth. Students might learn project management, behavioral science, and foreign languages, and do a lot of fieldwork in this course.

You will learn about a variety of topics in this course, all of which will give you a solid foundation in the field. Some of the subjects that make up the MA in Developmental Studies curriculum are listed below in the table.

Semester 1	Semester 2
Fundamentals of Economics	Human Development
Fundamentals of Geography	Project Management
Introduction to Development Studies	Social Work Research
Communication Skills & Behavioural Science	Programming Techniques

Semester 3	Semester 4
Micro Finance	Disaster Management
Gender & Development	Environment Management
Rural & Urban Development	Civil Society
Development of Administration & Planning	Block Placement

You'll study a variety of electives in the MA in Development Studies program in addition to the main subjects. Listed below are the electives you’ll study in this course  

• Green Economy
• Gender, Identity, and Inclusion
• Poverty and Vulnerability
• Electoral Politics and Legislative Policies
• Climate Change and Development
• Smart Cities
• Public Finance
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Social Movements and Social Change

MA in Development Studies Top Colleges in India 2023

If you're interested in pursuing an MA in Development Studies and want to learn more about the development studies colleges in India that offer this program, see the list of institutions offering the MA in Development Studies courses in India 2023, below.

College	Location
Jamia Millia Islamia University	Delhi
Gandhigram Rural Institute	Dindigul
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University	Lucknow
Dr. BR Ambedkar University	Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology	Mandi
Rabindra Bharati University	Kolkata
University of Madras	Chennai
Tata Institute of Social Sciences	Mumbai
Ambedkar University	Delhi
Azim Premji University	Bengaluru
Indian Institute of Technology	Guwahati
Swami Vivekanand University	Sagar
National Institute of Technology	Rourkela

MA in Development Studies Top Colleges Abroad

Many universities throughout the world provide distance learning for the MA in Development Studies. Distance learning for the MA in Development Studies is convenient and enables students to study from any location in the world. Listed below are some universities that offer this program:

University/ College	Country
University of Hampshire	USA
SOAS University Of London	UK
Indira Gandhi National Open University India	India
Malmo University	Sweden
University of London	UK
University of the West Indies	Jamaica
Friedensau Adventist University	Germany
Massey University  New	New Zealand
Buckinghamshire New University	UK
University of North Alabama College of Arts and Sciences	USA
University for Peace	Costa Rica

Quick questions

Q. What are the steps to getting into a good college?

Ans. A few factors must be taken into consideration to get admitted to a good MA in Development Studies College. Admission to a good or desirable institution does not solely depend on exam results. To ensure you get into a good institution, take into account the following suggestions.

• Shortlist your course options carefully since you need to be sure of your choice. Your future job depends on the degree you select, so choose MA in Development Studies with certainty.
• The best course of action is to start the online research in advance. To narrow down your choice of top institutions, you must also be aware of top university rankings. Therefore, getting started early offers you plenty of time to plan.
• One of the most important steps in the application process is to visit campus if possible.
• It’s easy to believe that you can learn about a school by looking at images and reading about it, but nothing beats experiencing it in person. You’ll acquire a feel for campus by walking about and getting a sense of its size, vibes, and culture.
• If you want to get into a certain engineering college, look into the previous year’s marks necessary for admission, make a guess based on that, and then work hard to fit inside the range of marks required for that particular institution to acquire admission.

Q. Taking entrance exams: How to prepare?

If you’re looking for tips on how to be ready for the MA in Development Studies entrance exam, keep in mind that every student has a unique method of studying for tests. Read some of the guidance below:

• Know the Exam Pattern: The exam formats include topics like Geography, Economics, Basic Statistics, Information Technology, and others. Try to find out what pattern will be in Entrance exams, whether it will be offline or online. What will be the time duration and No. of questions in the exam.
• Overview Syllabus: Before starting the preparation of the entrance test, first go through the syllabus you need to complete regarding the test. Arrange all the study material and Sample papers for studying. However, keep in mind that overloading yourself with study materials does more harm than good.
• Time management: It is critical to practice time management to perfect it, and it is especially crucial for students preparing for an entrance exam. Test-taking is also necessary for time management since the length of the paper and the number of questions to be tried in a certain amount of time are critical.
• Practice Tests: Exams are difficult and put you in high-pressure circumstances, even if you prepare well and diligently. Panic and anxiety are common reactions among students in the examination hall. However, if you wish to relieve this stress, it is important to practice delivering many examinations under comparable situations. It will help you overcome your phobia of taking actual exams.
• Clear concepts leave no doubt unsolved: When studying for the MA entrance test, it is critical to remember all of the fundamental concepts and theories for each course. Also, try to solve every single doubt you have in your mind.
• Practice Sample Paper: Solving sample papers is crucial since it offers you a sense of the problems to expect and the time required to answer them. Try to solve engineering sample papers from reputable colleges from the previous year.
• Make short notes: Making notes while covering each topic is vital for improved learning. These notes will come in handy when it comes time to revise. Yes, it will take a little harder work and effort, but it will be easier in the end.
• Stay away from distractions: The necessity to prevent distractions is one of the most challenging obstacles that each student who works for an entrance test faces. In challenging exams, tension is a huge influence that motivates you to divert your attention away from the constant grinding. However, you must remain focused and consider how you will feel when you reach your goal.
• Revision is a must: No matter how much you’ve studied or how well you can remember things, revision will always be helpful to you. Revision benefits in remembering topics of the subject you have studied. Students who revise the content are more confident while attempting any related questions. A student's likelihood of experiencing anxiety and worry during the exams can be decreased by timely revision.

MA in Development Studies Scope

The subject of MA in Development Studies offers several different specializations. It introduces students to development theory and concepts at several levels (national or worldwide). It gives them the analytical and research abilities they need to address developmental problems and limits. Following are the development studies scope in India

• Students will learn about numerous growth models in this course. Additionally, it encourages people to express various viewpoints that are essential to a country's progress both politically and economically.
• Students who pursue an MA in Development Studies have access to a variety of professional options, including consulting, corporate organizations, defense and security, NGOs, international development organizations (UNO, World Bank, etc.), and research organizations.
• Students of the program are prepared for academic careers as well as professional careers as investigators and analysts in the public and private sectors on a national and worldwide level.
• Personnel employed by foreign services, assistance agencies, the UN, and non-governmental organizations can also benefit from the course.
• After completing the UGC-NET and earning a master’s degree, candidates can apply for permanent lectureships at colleges and universities.
• For MA Development Studies, there are numerous employment prospects. Graduates with this degree can find employment in a variety of organizations, including academic institutions, the government's civil and allied administrative services, research consultancy firms, etc.
• The goal of the MA in Development Studies course is to give students a thorough examination of the topic.

Following are the employment Fields for MA in Development Studies

• Government Departments and Aid Authorities
• International Organizations
• Journalism
• Various Interest Organizations
• Media & News
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

What after an MA in Development Studies? Students can choose to pursue further education if they want to comprehend this course completely and develop solid foundational skills in this area.

After completing their MA in Development Studies, students have the following advanced study options:

• M.Phil. in Development Studies: The two-year M.Phil. program in Development Studies combines courses and research projects, with an emphasis on both broad and in-depth research in particular disciplines.
• Ph.D.  in Development Studies: The Ph.D. in Development Studies, also known as the Doctorate of Philosophy in Developmental Studies, is a three-year multidisciplinary program. For students who want to change the national and international trends, and social injustices that still exist in the modern world, they must take this course.

MA in Development Studies Career Options

Graduates have the skills necessary for careers as economists, financial analysts, and policymakers. Governments, social groups, international organizations, and development agencies are examples of potential employers. Governmental, industrial, and educational institutions all need researchers.

Additionally, there are opportunities in international finance and business. Professionals may decide to work in developing nations.

A postgraduate degree in development studies has an international impact and offers ways to enhance living circumstances in underdeveloped regions.

MA in Development Studies Jobs

Job Profile	Average Annual Salary
Public Policy Consultant	INR 7.5 LPA
Social Worker	INR 3.8 LPA
Lecturer/ Professor	INR 6.7 LPA
Admission Officer	INR 5.6 LPA
Researcher	INR 8.5 LPA

Some of the other MA in Development Studies jobs in India are listed below:

• Agency Development Manager
• Business Studies & Economics Teacher
• Policy Maker
• Researcher
• Social Worker
• Academician
• Enterprise Account Manager
• Business Development Officer
• Business Development Executive
• Social Studies Teacher
• Immigration Officer
• Intelligence Officer
• International Aid Worker
• International Communications Expert
• International Policy Analyst
• Teacher & Lecturer

Frequently Asked Questions about MA in Development Studies

Q. What is MA in Development Studies job salary in India?

Ans. The Institute of Development Studies pays an average yearly salary of 4.5 lakhs of Indian rupees.

Q. Is studying MA in Development Studies advantageous?

Ans. The disparities between developed and poor nations are made clear to those studying development by analyzing past, current, and future patterns. They use this to create better political, economic, and environmental solutions for problems that impoverished nations face.

Q. What are some of the sectors where an MA in Development Studies can work?

Ans. Governmental organizations, Consultancies, NGOs, PSUs, Corporate Organizations, etc. are some of the sectors where an MA in Development Studies can find work.

Q. What does it cost to study MA in Development Studies?

Ans. The cost of pursuing this field varies depending on the institution, the region, and the required course load. Candidates who have prior training or experience in a similar field may be eligible for advanced standing.

Students should investigate their options to make the decision that best suits their needs and interests. However the average MA in Development Studies fees in India ranges between Rs. 10,000 to 2,00,000.

Q. What are the recruiting companies for MA in Development Studies?

Ans. The recruitment options for an MA in Development Studies are as follows:-

• Deloitte
• KPMG
• Pratham
• CTS
• TCS
• GOONJ
• Niti Aayog
• Sir Dorabji Tata Trust & Allied Trusts
• JP Morgan and Chase Pvt. Ltd
• Amazon

Q. What are the government jobs available for MA in Development Studies in India?

Ans. There are many options available for students to choose from in this course. Some numerous departments and organizations offer jobs in government like: Public relations specialist, consultant on public policy, lecturer or professor, admissions officer, researcher

Q. Which nations are best for MA in Development Studies graduates?

Ans. There are numerous job options for MA in Development Studies graduates both domestically and internationally. This course's creative perspective on the future makes it appealing.

Following is a list of some of the nations where MA in Development Studies graduates can find good employment opportunities:

• USA
• UK
• Spain
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Canada

Q. For an MA in Development Studies, is distance learning an option?

Ans. Students can enroll in the MA in Development Studies course through distance learning if they are unable to enroll in it through the standard admissions process. The authenticity of the course and the college in the remote learning or correspondence mode must be verified by the student before admission.

Q. What are the different careers after MA Development Studies abroad?

Ans. The scope of MA in Development Studies abroad includes a wide variety of works. Students who complete this course have a variety of chances in many professions. The following is a list of jobs that MA graduates in development studies may pursue abroad:

• Project Director 
• Public Relations Officer 
• Consultant Marketing Head 
• Public Policy Consultant 
• Researcher 
• Development Manager 
• Analyst 
• Human Relations Manager

Q. How to get admission to the best college?

Ans. Students must make sure they pass the minimum cut-off in their boards and entrance examinations to be accepted into the leading colleges for MA in Development Studies in India.

The outcome will be posted on the college's official website if they are nominated. The chosen students will receive more information through email about the remaining admission requirements.

Q. What are some of the MA development studies placements in the Private sector?

Ans. An MA in Development Studies has many job Opportunities in the Private and Public sectors.

Some of the private sector job opportunities are as follows

• Administrator orb Manager 
• Social Worker 
• Teacher 
• Public Policy Consultant 
• Researcher 
• Project Manager

Q. Which IITs offer an MA in Development Studies program?

Ans. The MA in Development Studies program is offered at IIT Madras.

The course is designed to educate students for careers in NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions, and private businesses.