Q1. When is the JRF entrance examination usually announced? When is it usually held?
A1. It is usually advertised in many major English dailies around January-February. The written examination is generally held sometime in May.
Q2. What is the eligibility criterion for appearing in the entrance examination?
A2. (i) A good academic record with M.S. (Q.E.), M.Stat., M.A./M.Sc., or equivalent degree in Economics/Mathematics/Statistics/Econometrics, or (ii) Outstanding mathematical maturity with B.A./B.Sc. degree with Economics as the main subject.
A candidate possessing a Master’s degree in any subject with Mathematics/Statistics at least at B.A./B.Sc. (Pass) degree level may also be considered for admission to the JRF program in Economics.
There are no minimum cut-off percentages for just appearing in the examination.
As the above eligibility criteria suggest, candidates without an Economics background may also sit for the examination.
Q3. What is the admission procedure?
A3. It is based on academic record, and performances in a written examination and an interview.
Q4. Is clearing the JRF (Economics) examination conducted by the UGC necessary?
A4. Clearing the UGC JRF (Economics) examination is neither necessary, nor sufficient for admission into the Ph.D. program in Economics at ISI (in fact, it is irrelevant).
Q5. What is the pattern of the written examination?
A5. The pattern for the 2004 examination is as follows. It is a two-part examination.
The first part, called REI will be held in the forenoon, and mainly tests for mathematical maturity. It is a two-hour examination.
The second part, called REII will be held in the afternoon of the same day, and tests for your logical/mathematical ability and knowledge of Economics. In fact some of the questions mainly test for your logical ability. It is again a two-hour examination. Answers that are imprecise, or irrelevant will be severely penalised.
For sample questions, and a description of the subject matter please visit http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/.
Q6. Can you suggest some Economics textbooks that can help me prepare for the Economics related questions?
A6. The following books are just to indicate the expected level of economic maturity and are by no means exhaustive. Candidates should feel free to consult any book at similar levels of difficulty.
Q7. Can I see some sample questions?
A7. Please visit http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/. Sample questions are also sent to the candidates along with their admit cards.
Q8. What is the pattern of the interview?
A8. While the written examination is common to all centres, the interviews will be held in the centre that the candidate has opted for.
Candidates would generally be quizzed mainly on a field of their choice (Micro-economics, Macro-economics etc.), although some questions on other fields may also be asked.
Q9. Is there a fellowship for JRF (Q.E.) students?
A9. Currently the JRF fellowship stands at Rs. 8000 p.m., with provisions for HRA and a contingency/book grant of Rs. 6000 per year.
Q10. What are the research interests of the ISI faculty in Economics? What are the rules guiding the research students at ISI?
A10. For these and other similar questions the candidates may consult the current year’s prospectus, which is also available at http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/. They can also look up the website of various faculty members which provide more specific information on their research interests. Successful candidates get a students’ brochure at the time of admission, which contains further information. For rules governing JRF and SRF students please also visit http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/jrfsrfrules.html#JRF%20and%20SRF%20Rules,
Q11. What is the placement record for students doing Ph.D. (Economics) from ISI Delhi?
A11. Doctoral students have found academic employment and post-doctoral fellowships in India and abroad (CORE, Hebrew University, IGIDR, ISI, JNU, NCAER, TERI, University of Warwick and LSE, among others). Below is a partial list of recent Ph.D. (Econ.) students from ISI Delhi: Student Field/Title of Dissertation Present Affiliation Suresh Muthuswamy Network Games University of Essex Manipushpak Mitra 3 Essays on First Best Implementable Incentive problems ISI, Kolkata Bappaditya Mukhopadhyay Corporate Finance MDI, Gurgaon K.V.S. Vinay Corporate Finance AMEX Gurbachan Singh Some Aspects of Banks and Financial Markets in Emerging Economies Jawaharlal Nehru University Anirban Kar Essays on Minimum Cost Spanning Tree Sabanci University, Turkey. To join Games Univ. of Warwick Meeta Mehra Theoretical Issues in the Economics of International Trade and Environment TERI Sangeeta Bansal Environmental Regulation in the Presence of Environmentally Conscious Consumers J.N.U., New Delhi Deepjyoti Majumder Essays on Social Choice and Mechanism Design CORE, Belgium. To join Concordia University, Canada Anindya Bhattacharya Essays on Cooperative Behaviour and Collective Action University of York.
Remark: The above information is for overall guidance alone and is by no means exhaustive. Moreover, the rules and regulations are subject to periodic review. In fact, each year the respective admission committee has the power of setting the pattern of questions for that year. Hence the students should cross-check all information provided above with the current year’s prospectus, which is also available at http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/.
Last updated: 30.4.2004.Q1. When is the M.S.(Q.E.) entrance examination usually announced? When is it usually held?
A1. It is usually advertised in many major English dailies around January-February. The written examination is generally held sometime in May.
Q2. What is the eligibility criterion?
A2. Three-year Bachelor’s degree in Economics/Mathematics/Statistics/Physics. Thus B.Stat. degree holders of ISI can apply. Engineering graduates are also eligible to apply. Candidates should have knowledge of Economics and Mathematics at the B.A./B.Sc. pass level.
Q3. What is the admission procedure?
A3. Based on academic record and performances in written tests and interview.
Q4. What is the pattern of the written examination?
A4. It will be a two part examination, MEI and MEII, and will comprise objective and short answer questions in both Economics and Mathematics.
Q6. Is there a fellowship for M.S. (Q.E.) students?
A6. Currently the MS(QE) fellowship stands at Rs. 1200 p.m., with a contingency/book grant of Rs. 2000 per year.
Q7. Can I see some sample questions?
A7. Please visit http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/. Sample questions are also sent to the candidates along with their admit cards.
Q8. What is the placement record for students doing MS(QE) from ISI Delhi?
A8. Masters students have found jobs in the corporate sector (Churchill Insurance, GE Capital, TCS, American Express); some have gone for higher studies to universities abroad (Boston, Maryland, MIT, Minnesota New York, Princeton, Toronto).
Remark: The above information is for overall guidance alone and is by no means exhaustive. Moreover, the rules and regulations are subject to periodic review. In fact, each year the respective admission committee has the power of setting the pattern of questions for that year. Hence the students should cross-check all information provided above with the current year’s prospectus, which is also available at http://www.isical.ac.in/~deanweb/.
Last updated: 30.4.2004.Last modified: Wed Apr 6 20:58:59 IST 2011 . Send updates, corrections, and other feedback to mweb@isid.ac.in