University of Calcutta, Ph.D. Entrance Examination (Economics): 2014

University of Calcutta

Ph.D. Entrance Examination (Economics): 2014

Admission to Ph.D. Programme in the Department of Economics

Procedure:

 The Ph.D. entrance test of 100 marks for the suitable candidates1 will be held once in a year and the qualifying marks will be fixed at 50%;

 At the most 15 candidates (with full concurrence with the reservation policy) will be enrolled this year (2014);

Structure of the Examination:

 There will be 50 multiple choice questions (MCQ), each of 2 marks;

 Questions will be on Economics Theory, Quantitative Economics and Contemporary Global and Indian Economic Problems;

 MCQs will be on Microeconomic Theory (8), Macroeconomic Theory (8), Statistics, Econometrics (10) and Mathematical Economics (4) and there will be 10 MCQ on each one of the two passages meant for the test of comprehension;

 The selected passages for the test of comprehension would be on Contemporary Global and Indian Economic Problems;

 The eligible candidates identified through this process would be invited to submit a statement of purpose (SoP) indicating the area of research interest (not exceeding 1000 words) on which a final interview will be conducted.

 These candidates would have to compete with other eligible candidates who have

already cleared NET/SET/M.Phil and are willing to pursue Ph.D. studies;

 Those who are expected to obtain M.A./ M.Sc./ M.Phil. in Economics from any UGC recognized university by August 31, 2014 would also be eligible to apply for RET. However, the final selection of these candidates would be contingent on their obtaining at least 55% of marks in aggregate in their M.A./ M.Sc. examination from the University of Calcutta/ 60% of marks from any other UGC recognized university/ at least 50% of marks in M.Phil.

 If for any RET-applicant who has appeared in the M.Phil. Examination, the result of the said examination gets published before the commencement of the RET, then s/he will be exempted from RET upon successful completion of the M.Phil. Degree.

 The list of finally selected candidates would be posted in the Departmental Notice Board and in the University website;

Syllabus:

 Microeconomic Theory: Consumer Behaviour, Theory of Firm, Analysis of Market Structure, Theory of Distribution, General Equilibrium, Welfare Economics, Asymmetric Information, Public Goods & Externalities;

 Macroeconomic Theory: National Income Accounting, Aggregate Demand Simple Keynesian Model, IS-LM Model, Interaction Between Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply- Short-run & Long-run Equilibrium, Classical Full Employment Model- Determination of Real Wage, Interest Rate & Price Level, Demand for Money, Supply of Money, Consumption Function, Investment Function, Inflation, Trade-cycle & Growth, Open-economy Macroeconomics;

 Statistics & Econometrics: Measures of Central Tendency, Dispersion, Higher Order Moments, Correlation, Theory of Probability, Theory of Statistical Inference, Classical Linear Regression Model (both 2-variable & k-variable cases)- Estimation, Hypothesis Testing & Prediction, Heteroscadasticity, Autocorrelation & Multicollinearity, Simultaneous Equation System & the Problem of Identification;

 Mathematical Economics: Optimization in Economics (Static & Dynamic), System of Simultaneous Equations and Cramer’s Rule, Input-Output Analysis, Linear Programming, Elements of Game Theory;

Important Dates:

 Forms can be downloaded from the university website from: May 26, 2014 (Monday);

 Application for Research Entrance Test (RET) without SoP to be submitted by: June 20, 2014;

 Submission of SoP for eligible candidates [NET/ SET/ M.Phil./ RET]: July 21, 2014;

Date of RET Examination: July 5, 2014 (Saturday) 1-3 p.m. in the Department of Economics, CU;

Date of Publication of RET Result: July 14, 2014 (Monday);

Date of Interview: August 2, 2014 (Saturday) from 11 a.m. in the Department of Economics, CU;

Course Work: One Semester Course-work of 16 credits;

 Research Methodology (including computer applications): 25 hours (4 credit)

 Foundation of Economics: 25 hours (4 credit)

 Issues in Economic Development with Special Focus on India: 25 hours (4 credit)

 Advanced Readings: 25 hours (4 credits)

For more details: http://www.caluniv.ac.in/admission%20notice/ECO_PhD_2014.pdf