About the Course

The Post-Graduate Diploma in Development Studies (PGDDS) is a one-year multi-disciplinary course which aims to combine rigorous academic study with practical skills. The course is designed to provide an understanding of various perspectives on development issues, through rigorous coursework and guided research. The perspectives are drawn from different disciplines, with a strong emphasis on the classics in social sciences and humanities. The strength of the course particularly lies in the balance it maintains between theory and hands-on training on tools of analysis, both quantitative and qualitative. The course will be taught by academicians as well as practitioners. It is designed to train fresh graduates as well as in-service professionals to acquire adequate analytical skills to pursue research-oriented and service-based career in development studies in academia, administration, media, non-government and corporate organisations. The training includes writing assignment, oral presentations, report writing, photography, posters, community work and dissertations. It intends to enhance a student’s capacity to understand, analyse and reflect on developmental issues and exposes him/her to the ground realities in multiple settings through classroom lectures, workshops, projects, field work and outreach programmes. The timings of classes of this course make it most suitable for working professionals in the development sector and post-graduate students who are enrolled in regular courses. The course is conducted and diploma will be provided by IDSK.

Career Opportunities

After completion of the course the participants are expected to find work in development agencies, research institutes, government, academia, civil/administrative services, NGOs, think tanks etc. Some of the areas where they can fit in are: (1) Development Planning, Consulting, Project Management or Programme Office; (2) Socio-economic and marketing research; (3) Impact Analysis; (4) Monitoring and Evaluation; (5) CSR Management in Corporate Organisations.

Course Structure

The duration of the entire programme is one year (two semesters), equally divided between coursework and guided research for writing report/dissertation. The first semester will be devoted to course work in which a range of core courses will be taught. The courses will maintain a balance between theoretical/analytical approaches and tools/techniques for writing research-oriented report. Hands-on training on collecting primary data from the field and analysing them using statistical and GIS software will also be an important part of the course work. A few optional courses will also be offered depending on mutual interests of the faculty and students. The core papers are common and compulsory for all students. In the second semester, each student will identify a research area and apply the research methods to write a report on an important development issue.

The course is designed in a way to foster mutual learning and critical thinking and inspire innovative approaches to complex developmental issues. Different papers offered in this course will combine lectures, seminars, study circle, group projects and supervised research. Our course instructors are all active researchers with good experience of teaching and research and are highly capable of enhancing the learning experience by bringing in their applied knowledge and experiences of working on development issues. Students will be able to attend a wide range of formal and informal talks and can develop their professional skills through workshops on critical reading and writing, multi-cultural team work, participatory methods, research communication and policy engagement, research techniques and presentation skills.

Course Modules

Eligibility

Any student, who has passed the undergraduate degree in any discipline from any recognised university, is eligible. Applicants who are awaiting the results of the final part/semester examination of their undergraduate programme may also apply. Candidates, who are currently working or undergoing any regular course (above under-graduation) can also apply provided they can make themselves available to attend the classes (Friday evening and Saturday – full day). All the eligible candidates will have to sit for an online entrance test. The number of students to be admitted will not exceed thirty. Selection of candidates for interview will be based on his/her academic qualifications and performance in the entrance test. Thereafter only the short-listed candidates will be called for an interview.

Course Fees

The course fee per semester is Rs. 20,000, which is to be paid at the time of admission for the first semester and at the beginning of the second semester. The total course fee is Rs 40,000.

Course Duration and Class Timing

The Course will be of one-year duration, split into two semesters. Classes will be held on two days per week preferably in the Friday evenings (5.00 – 8.00 PM) and Saturdays (10.00 AM – 5.00 PM).

How to Apply

An applicant is required to apply online, through a Google form, with complete, correct information, application fee and attachments. The applicant will be solely responsible for the authenticity of the submitted information. The link to the Google form is https://forms.gle/yisw8dVPXjF1hVi8A.

Applications without the application fee will not be considered. Application forms have to be filled only in online mode (through a Google form) and no hard copy of the filled-in form will be accepted. The applicants are required to read details before filling up the form. Application forms have to be filled only in online mode, as available on the website of the Institute along with this advertisement, within the prescribed time limit indicated in the advertisement. No offline forms would be accepted.

Application fees

Application Fees for the General/OBC category is Rs.600/- (Rupees six hundred only) and for SC, ST, and PwD category is Rs.350/- (Rupees three hundred and fifty only). Payment should be made online only, through NEFT/RTGS or UPI. The online payment reference number or transaction ID needs to be mentioned in the online application form. Bank details for NEFT/RTGS or QR Code for UPI is provided in the Prospectus.

Link to Course Prospectus

Link to Application Form

Link to Flyer

Link to Sample Questions for Admission Test

Important Dates

Contact Persons

For further programme and admission-related queries, get in touch with either of the following persons:
Dr Saswata Ghosh (Coordinator)
Dr Pallabi Das (Associate Coordinator)

Institute of Development Studies Kolkata
DD 27/D, Sector I, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700064
Email address: pgdds.idsk@gmail.com, idsk@idskmail.com, pallabipc@gmail.com
Phone number (033) 23213120/21. Extension numbers 245 (Saswata Ghosh); 251 (Pallabi Das)