MSE invites applications from the eligible candidates for Full time or Part time Ph. D. Program in Economics for the Academic Year 2026-27.
Award of Degree: Awarded by the Madras School of Economics under its degree granting power as per MSE Act 2020.
Rules and Regulations: The guidelines and rules for full-time and part-time PhD program are available in Ordinance 3 (in MSE website)
Faculty and Ph.D. Scholar Profiles: Please visit the profiles of faculty members: https://mse.ac.in/faculty/; PhD Research Scholars: https://mse.ac.in/mse-students/ and PhD Alumni: https://mse.ac.in/phd/
Full-Time / Part-Time Ph.D. Admission:
(i) The rules for Full-Time and Part-Time Ph.D. scholars are prescribed in Ordinance 3.
(ii) Admission letter will be issued only if the selected Part-Time research scholar submits the ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ from the employer when the selection results of the candidates are announced. The format for NOC shall be shared by MSE at the time of announcement of the results.
Eligibility for Full time or Part time Ph.D. Program:
(i) Educational Qualification:
Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Management Science or STEM disciplines from UGC/AICTE approved institutions, including institutes of national and state importance or an equivalent degree from a foreign educational Institution as per UGC guidelines. Bachelor’s degree in professional courses listed in the Ordinance-3 will also be considered.
(ii) Minimum Marks Requirement:
a) At least 55% marks in aggregate or conversion of the equivalent grade to percentage.
b) A relaxation of 5% of marks, from 55% to 50%, or an equivalent relaxation of grade, may be allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/MBC/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled in their Master’s or Bachelor’s in professional courses. The eligibility marks of 55% (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5% to the categories mentioned above are
permissible based only on the qualifying marks without including the grace mark procedures.
(iii) Qualifying Entrance Tests:
a) Applicants for the Full-time Ph.D. program may be preferred if they have valid scores in any of the
following exams:
- UGC-JRF/NET/Ph.D.
- GATE
- State-level SET
- CAT scores within the last three years
b) Candidates applying for Full-Time or Part-Time Ph.D. program without any of the above test scores must appear for a written test at MSE before the interview.
Research Areas: Preference will be given to candidates interested in research areas of Asset Pricing, Behavioral Finance, Corporate Finance, Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Financial Markets, Industrial Organization, International Trade, Macroeconomics, Monetary Economics and Public Finance.
Research Fellowship:
Candidates with UGC JRF in their respective discipline could avail the fellowship in Economics or any other discipline as permitted by the UGC JRF rules.
Meritorious candidates (excluding those with UGC-JRF) may be considered for Dr. Devaki Muthiah & Dr. A.C. Muthiah Research Scholarship for a period of three years (extendable to maximum of one more year based on performance) from the date of joining.
Fee Structure:
Uniform fee structure would be followed for full-time / part-time research scholars holding fellowship and Non Stipendiary scholars. Scholars under SC/ST category would be granted 50% exemption in the semester fee. The total fee per semester is INR. 8000 including all infrastructural support.
Admission Procedures:
(i) Applicants will submit an online application form and upload scanned copies of required documents (attested by a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public).
(ii) The required documents are listed in the application form.
(iii) The candidate shall be considered eligible for shortlisting if:
a) They have at least 55% (50% for SC/ST/MBC/OBC(non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled in the last qualifying degree.
b) They have a valid entrance exam score and percentile from JRF/NET/Ph.D. or SET/GATE/CAT.
c) Candidates without a National/State-level entrance test score must appear for a written test at MSE.
d) Only shortlisted applicants will be called for the admission test.
e) The final selection will be based on the interview score (minimum qualifying score: 50%).
Written Test Details (For Candidates without Entrance Exam Scores mentioned above):
(i) Duration: 45 minutes
(ii) Candidates will have to answer one question from Section A and one question from either Section B or C. Candidates must answer two questions (15 marks each).
(iii) The test consists of two sections:
a) Section A (Quantitative Methods): Includes topics in Mathematical Methods, Operations Research, Statistics, and Econometrics.
b) Section B (Economics): Covers topics from the UGC-NET syllabus, with emphasis on Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and the Indian Economy.
c) Section C (Management) will include topics in Marketing, and Corporate Finance.
d) Interview Procedure:
(i) The personal interview will be conducted online by a panel of MSE faculty.
(ii) The interview will cover:
a) Courses completed during Master’s program as listed in your grade sheet
b) Topics listed in the written test above
c) Master’s dissertation if any
d) Research interests mentioned in the Statement of Purpose (SOP)
