Under the NEP 2020, economics departments significantly broaden their scope beyond core theoretical subjects (microeconomics, macroeconomics) to include:
Interdisciplinary Courses (IDC/MDC): These courses link economics with other fields, fostering a holistic approach to societal challenges.
Value Added Courses (VAC): Designed for holistic development and to build professional and ethical standards. These for example, often focus on "Environmental Education" and societal values covering natural resource management, sustainable development, and climate change.
Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC): Focused on practical training and enhancing employability through hands-on experience. Examples include:
Entrepreneurship development via training in business planning and management, using tourism as a potential.
Adopting a student-centric approach, the department focuses on fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking, active participation, and the practical application of economic concepts to real-world issues.
The pedagogy is student-centric, aiming to combine traditional knowledge transfer with modern, interactive techniques:
Lecture Method: For foundational concepts.
Interactive & Discussion-Based Learning: Encouraging active participation and critical thinking.
Mentoring Support: Personalized guidance for student development.
Student Seminar & Presentation: Building communication and research skills.
Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA): Regular evaluation through tests, assignments, and projects rather than only final exams.
ICT-Enabled Teaching: Using Information and Communication Technology (e-content, simulation, smart classrooms) to enhance learning.
The department actively encourages learning outside the conventional classroom setting:
Seminars and Academic Lectures: Exposure to research and expert perspectives.
Extension & Community Engagement: Linking economic theory to real-world issues through field projects or internships.
Student Participation in Competitions: Encouraging participation in debate, paper presentations, and economics quiz competitions.
The department is committed to fostering a research culture among faculty and students, focusing on:
Applied Economics: Analysing practical, real-world problems.
Environmental Economics: Sustainability, resource management, and environmental policy.
Development & Social Studies: Research on regional development, poverty, inequality, and gender studies.
Quantitative & Qualitative Techniques: Using data analysis and theoretical modelling to address research questions.
The department, by all means, makes continuous efforts to empower students to analyse the complex economic forces surrounding them, preparing them for the 21st century knowledge economy.
