MA Economics (SSS): Jawaharlal Nehru University
JNU has two schools that offer post graduation in Economics: School of Social Sciences (SSS) and School of International Studies (SIS). SSS has MA in Economics which is open to students from all streams. However, only graduates in Economics are eligible to apply for MA Economics with specialization in World Economicy offered by SIS.
SSS (MA Economics)
To crack JNU entrance, solving past years is extremely important. They essentially have the same trend of questions being followed over years. If you are preparing for ISI and DSE entrances, clearing JNU may not be that challenging. SSS entrance tests on basics and do not really focus on any sophisticated problems like ISI and DSE. Last year SSS entrance had objective as well as subjective questions.
Mathematics and Statistics part may be done from past years only. They have questions on probability, index numbers, Correlation, Mean, Variance, Coefficient of Variation, quantiles and other such topics from basic statistics (be clear with the properties of all the topics). My suggestion will be to go through DU Economics first year course on Statistical Methods for Economics. Â In mathematics, cover topics like AP, GP, HP, Compound Interest, finding maxima and minima, basics about functions like finding inverse of a function, go through the properties of logarithmic and exponential functions etc.
For Microeconomics, utility maximisation, cost functions and various market setups (perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly) shall be done properly (I fathom that one of the favourite question of JNU is to find equilibrium in perfectly competitive market given a cost function). Know the basics like what is Production Possibility frontier, what happens to MC or AC or some utility function at optimum, price elasticity of demand etc.
NIA used to be one of the favourite topics of SSS. But, last year they did not ask as many questions on NIA as earlier which was quite surprising! However, to be on safe side, go through the basics of NIA from 12th class NCERT. Do first few chapters of NIA from Dornbusch and Fischer. They are necessary. You can also go through NIA chapter in International Economics by Paul Krugman. They usually ask atleast one question on National Income identity. Also know what appreciation, depreciation and terms of trade like terms are. Questions on IS-LM (goods market equilibrium and money market equilibrium), money multiplier are equally expected.
Lastly, for the social awareness questions, you need to know what poverty line in India is (they may ask what is the poverty ration suggested by Tendulkar Committee!), trend in labour share in different sectors, sex ratio, Five year plans etc. I believe for this section, it is important to be updated with current affairs through newspapers. Last year they had asked to write an essay as well. Financial crisis and Lewis model were one of the five topics on which the student could write on. This time as well they may give topics like Financial Inclusion, Keynesian Economics, something related to New Economic Policy etc.
An entry on MA Economics with specialization in World Economy offered by SIS shall follow!
P.S: Past year papers can be obtained directly from JNU while applying for the course. They are also available at DSE photocopy shop.
For any query/comments regarding MA Economics offered by SsS, post your comments on this blog entry. For queries in other entrances (JNU:SIS,ISI,DSE), put your comments in the respective blog entry.
hi riju… how are you? I am your junior from kmc. your blog is really very helpful. can you tell me about the jnu sss exam pattern? they are giving only mcqs this year. so does it mean a more tough paper and negative marking?
Hi Harsh! Nice to see your comment. JNU focuses on concepts and not its application like DSE entrance. I think you would have realised this if you would have done the past years, which is very necessary for JNU. Focus on concepts that we take for granted (and hence skip/forget) while studying Micro. Maths part usually has AP GP sort of questions. The paper is not tough as such but yes general awareness questions can make lot of difference. They are very specific and hence make sure that you know the facts (about Indian Economy) right. I cant say if it will be easier/tougher this time with only MCQs being asked. The subjective part was quite easy in JNU SSS last year, as you would have probably seen. All the best!
Thank you so much for such a quick reply since the JNU entrance is tomorrow only.
I need your guidance for d school. Only a month left for it. Will be in touch with you through your blog. thanks!
can u plz tell me the expected cut-off
Hi,
All your analysis is worth reading.
How much was d cut off last year for both MA Eco n MA Eco(Specialization in World Eco) ??
Thanks!!
@Shalini, Saadia: No idea about the cut-off. The paper is quite simple and it is given by a larger number as JNU has centres all over India. Must be on higher end.
hi
Nice blog .can you tell the no. of seats in sss dept. and the no they call fr interviews.
nd yes whats the range u mean by higher note for cut off,as the negative marking was of 1/2 marks fr wrong answer while fr correct one one gets just 1 marks
@Sudershan: Check the prospectus for the no. of seats. There are no interviews for SSS! The questions in SSS are quite easy, my GUESS is it should be around 65%. It is pure guess!
I went through the prospectus and there is nothing said about the number of seats in sss deptt. And interview is prescribed for both sss and sis.
No. of seats in SSS is 77 and 31 in SIS, according to JNU website. Here’s the link: http://www.jnu.ac.in/Admission/Intake2010.pdf
@Harsh: Thanks.
@Sudershan: Where is it written that interviews will be conducted? I went through the prospectus and there is no mention of interview for PG. Interviews are conducted for only M.Phil/Ph.D students. Check it carefully again.
@Shalini: Past years of all the entrances!
whch one has better placements in jnu-sss or sis
@Gunjan: I think it is the course from SIS
hi riju
i m your junior from kmc i want to ask whether it is more feasible to pursue m.a. eco from jnu sss or dse keeping in mind that i want to appear for ias so that i can dabble both things.
also suggest me the name of coaching institutes which prepares for these entrance exams.
@Vaibhav My suggestion would be DSE. It helps in keeping other options open which is very important if you are planning for IAS. Some people suggest for JNU as many people there usually head for IAS. But my personal suggestion is DSE. For coaching institutes, i will suggest you to google.
Riju,
I’m a final year BTech student and I want to study IR with specialization in International Economics. I have a little knowledge of economics, but most of it is from what I’ve understood from general reading of some economic textbooks like the one by Mankiw. I am looking for more material, and how I should go about studying for the JNU exam. I’m interested in studying for the SIS MA Eco.
Can I get in touch with you through mail or chat for more on this. Thanks in advance.
@Kanwaljeet: There is a blog entry on SIS MA Economics. Kindly read that. Besides, IR is a different course offered by SIS, JNU.
Hello Riju, I wanted to know about the placement scenario in the JNU sss,what;s the real scope after doing MA if you are not for civil services?
@Aditya: There are some companies like Watson & Wyatt that come to JNU to recruit students. PhD is also an option.
hi riju.i have started with my preparations for the entrances next year..but i am a little confused and i need some guidance as in what subject to start with?Anyways i also wanted to know a little more in detail about the social awareness part of the entrance..and were can i best pick up the information from..other then the newspapers..or some specific journal,website,magazine..do i also start going through the economic and political weekly..as most of our du undergraduate (economics hons),syllabus comes from that..please let me know..
@Rumita: You can get hold of pratiyogita darpan economics issue. It has good amount of GK. EPW is not required but it certainly helps in essay type questions.