Each stream seeks to provide both an excellent theoretical base as well as market-readiness for careers across academia, publishing, policy, governance and corporate consultancy. The students are required to complete a minimum of 200 credits to be eligible for the M.A. degree.

Each stream will have 25 seats for Indian students; seats for foreign students will be supernumerary. The students of each stream will have the option of upgrading to PhD program as per the Institute guidelines.

Speaking about the restructured MA programmes, Prof. Jyotirmaya Tripathy, Head, Dept. of HSS, IIT Madras, said, “Historically we have been leaders among IITs in offering degrees in liberal arts. Given the changing needs of time, we have restructured our programme to cater to that section of students who want to pursue a career path that gets the best of liberal education along with market readiness in an environment that is conducive to creativity and reflection. This is on top of world-class infrastructure and the lure of being taught by some of the finest minds of the country in an institution that has been consistently ranked as number one in the country.”

M.A. in English Studies aims to introduce literature, culture, and language through historical and theoretical frameworks from interdisciplinary humanistic and critical perspectives. It also trains students in various aspects of humanistic study and practice, thus preparing them with employable skills in public and private sectors such as Publishing, Teaching and Research institutions, Journalism, Advertising, marketing and public relations agencies.

M.A. in Development Studies aims to provide training and support towards two broad career trajectories; higher education and academia, and policy and governance. It seeks to help students develop their own interests and career possibilities in the discipline through elective courses across key research and policy avenues broadly encompassing sociology, anthropology, history, and science and technology studies.

Similarly, M.A Economics targets to grant students a solid theoretical knowledge in economic sciences through a combination of core and elective courses which will familiarize students with recent developments in the field and equip them to address contemporary economic problems.

For further insight on program structure and related details, please visit the Department website: https://hss.iitm.ac.in/courses-new/m-a-programme/