Students’ Corner

Explore our student voices in the form of their articles, research, and more

Honours Projects

The students can work closely with a faculty member on a specific topic, and develop a research question to write up a thesis. To choose this path, one should have completed credits from classroom courses and a project.

Some sample thesis projects are:

A historical analysis of Shiv Sena, labor movements and identity politics in Mumbai, Amit Wagh, mentored by Amit Basole
Changes in Monetary Policy During Time of Crisis, Avantika V.A., mentored by Zico Dasgupta
Domestic Violence in India: An Analysis of Trends in Perpetretors’ Characteristics, Behaviors, and Attitudes, Nandini S., mentored by Kade Finnoff
Tanisha Hiremath: Kautilya’s Arthashastra: The Determination of Prices, Wages and Taxes; Advisor: Alex Thomas
Land distribution, land accumulation and land conflicts in Telangana: A historical study, Jayant, mentored by Dontha Prashanth

Students’ Articles

Student Research

Article
Methodological Holism in Marx’s Capital Volume 1: The Conceptualisation and Measurement of Individual Units
in Review of Development and Change, Sage
Published
2025
Authors
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Abstract
This article aims to understand the methodological position that Marx takes in Capital Volume 1 and the implications of that on the individual units in his analysis. With the understanding that Marx adopts a fundamentally holist methodological standpoint, the article outlines how the individuals within classes and the system of capitalist production are measured and contextualised. This question is answered by examining Marx’s Capital Volume 1 as the primary text. Where relevant, the researcher engages with Marx’s intellectual background and tradition. The individual units discussed in this study are the commodity, the worker and the capitalist.
This article examines how the concept of the representative individual emerges through averaging and how this process unfolds in Marx’s Capital, shaped by his methodological approach. The article illustrates the method of averaging in Marx, through his intellectual engagement with Quetelet as it also focuses on Hegel’s influence on Marx’s method and elaborates on the parallels and divergences between them. With the given engagement with Capital and Marx’s intellectual interactions, the researcher arrives at a specific understanding of holism that can be attributed to Marx in Capital Volume 1.
Author: Sushmita Rama Subrahmanyam, Student, MA in Economics (2024−2026)
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Testimonials

“The highlight of my academic experience at the University was the faculty’s effective and coherent instruction of the fundamentals and complexities of economic theory. The rigorous curriculum, strengthened by the regular use of datasets to apply classroom learning, helped me improve my technical readiness to tackle real-world problems. Close faculty engagement and collaborative learning contributed greatly to my social and personal growth during and after the programme.
As a person interested in applying lessons from Economics to governance problems, the MA in Economics programme provided me with quite a facilitating environment. My current role as a public finance specialist involves working on projects to augment state revenues and strengthen the budgeting and expenditure systems of state governments. In the last two years, I have supported the Government of Tamil Nadu in improving Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) settlements and worked with the Government of Andhra Pradesh in cleaning DBT beneficiary rolls. I have also worked with the Finance Departments of both states to strengthen financial analytics.”

-Theerda Reji, MA in Economics (2019−21)

“The MA in Economics programme at the University not only allows you to study courses available in any economics graduate programme, such as advanced micro, macro and metrics, but it also allows you to explore non-economics fields such as sociology and ecology and encourages you to do fieldwork and qualitative research as a part of the course. The smaller batch size and close contact with faculty made for an incredibly engaging learning environment.

This programme gives you the tools and skills to succeed in a wide range of quantitative fields — since graduating, I have worked in academia, data science and an international development consultancy firm. I thoroughly enjoyed the advanced courses in metrics, statistics and microeconomics, and these have proved to be invaluable in my day-to-day work which often involves things like building Shiny apps, custom Stata programmes and more general impact evaluation work.”

-Zaeen D’souza, MA in Economics (2019−21)

“My decision to pursue MA in Economics at the University was a rewarding choice. It not only honed my knowledge of economics as a discipline but also helped in my holistic growth. Key highlights of my time at the University include the faculty, thoughtfully designed curriculum, my batchmates, and unwavering backing from the university management. Throughout my master’s journey, I received scholarships and assistantships, which made my education possible. The faculty’s continuous support, both in and out of the classroom supported my overall growth.

The rigorous curriculum offered an in-depth understanding of core economic concepts and theory with a strong emphasis on research orientation. It also equipped me with practical skills like impact evaluation, econometrics, and data analysis, preparing me for real-world challenges. Today, in my role at the Indian Institute for Human Settlement, I find myself well-prepared for impactful research work. My recent focus on public finance and climate mitigation is a testament to the knowledge and skills I acquired during my time at the University.”

-Mithilesh Verma, MA in Economics (2020−22)

“The MA in Economics programme at Azim Premji University goes beyond the traditional economics curriculum. The courses are taught within an interdisciplinary framework, situated in social realities, to develop a more grounded and humane understanding of economic theory. The curriculum offers an opportunity to learn about the history and the different schools of thought in economics, allowing us to engage critically with the discipline itself.

The programme also trained us with the empirical and programmatic skills required to explore economic questions of interest with data. The faculty is excellent; warm and passionate, both inside and outside the classroom. The classrooms are dynamic, fun and engaging with an emphasis on learning as a group. The critical engagement with economic methods of inquiry, software skills, and the nature of learning by questioning and discussing that I developed here have been very useful to me in my academic journey ahead.”

-Dhruvika Dhamija, MA in Economics (2020−22)

“The MA in Economics programme at Azim Premji University intertwined my passion and academic pursuits. Specialising in development and policy, it encapsulated a unique blend of theory and practicality, connecting our classroom insights to the world we inhabit. The courses offered an intellectual crossroads, allowing me to explore the intricate interplay between various identities, economic realities, market dynamics, and contemporary structural issues. The significance of the engagement with communities, an unique facet of the programme was realized after entering the professional realm. Departing from conventional examinations, the continuous assessment model nurtured an array of skills, including writing and presentation.

What truly set this programme apart was its ability to push me beyond my comfort zone, constantly challenging the boundaries I had set for myself. The most treasured aspect of my time at the University remains the relationships I forged. The professors, not only during the course but also in ongoing support, served as pillars of knowledge and guidance, which opened new career avenues and personal learnings. The unwavering support, care, and belief in my personal growth, devoid of judgment of the diverse set of peers that I had were invaluable.”

-Jeyasundari, MA in Economics (2020−22)

“I joined the MA in Economics programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even through those tiny screens, I received the best guidance and help I could ask for. What makes this programme stand out from others is the individualised support and mentorship provided by the professors. I was taught mathematics, models, and coding, but what I was encouraged to do the most was ask questions – question the assumptions, the beliefs, the applicability of the models.

The programme offers heterodox courses and challenges the conventional way of teaching economics by emphasising the fact that economics is about people – chasing growth and development, but at what cost and whose? I am thankful to the faculty, not just for imparting valuable skills, but also for empowering me to challenge the established norms and explore the broader implications of economic policies. The dynamic campus gave me the chance to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, which has shaped my world views and aided my personal growth – an experience I will always be grateful for.”

-Nancy Devpura, MA in Economics (2020−22)

Field visits

Students in the MA programme undergo a mandatory field practice component by spending eight weeks with a civil society organisation or government official to gain insight into the economic work in the development sector. The field practice offers students an opportunity to put their classroom knowledge into practice and engage in action outside the classroom.

Majuli in Assam, Kalahandi and Basuda Farms in Orissa, Kadivela in Telengana, Bokaro in Jharkhand are a few examples of sites visited by the students in the past as part of their field visits.

Jharconnect, PARI, Indi Village Foundation, Parcham, Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) are some of the organisations our students have worked with as part of their field visits.

Student reflections post field visits

“At the Janta Darbar, Bandhra block, the motto is ‘aapke hak, aapki saarkar, aapke dwaar’ (your rights, your government, your door). Yet, people crowd over one another to get so much as an application form. Women carry their babies on their backs, the elderly walk all the way from their homes with a stick only to be denied for an endless number of bureaucratic reasons — no vaccine certificate, wrong age, wrong name, etc. As Sanyaro didi tells us, the government tries but even if they can get some paperwork done today, there is no guarantee that people will get their rights on ground.”
“I got to know real life stories of people. I learnt to look at the story behind the story” — Rushikesh.
“As for life in villages, quality air does make a positive difference (except when a fire was lit indoors each evening). The ability to discern constellations in the night sky was totally new for me. The golden sunsets uninterrupted by buildings made everyone a professional photographer. The women working at the bamboo centre always had a smile on their faces. While this may not be a representation of their life, it is a reflection of the camaraderie they share in their workspace. ” — Abhudyay
“I am also carrying back the plastic garbage we used during our 20 days in Majuli. It was not pre-planned and was started as a fun activity, but ended up teaching me a big lesson towards sustainable living. We found Majuli to be extremely clean compared to our mega cities. One of the reasons for that cleanliness is the negligible use of plastic by the residents. If we want to leave a planet worth living for future generations, the use of plastic must be minimised now.” — Ayush
“Working in the development sector is not like a typical 9 – 5 job. You need to be very sensitive and put in your heart and soul into what you’re doing. I learnt that when community members take initiative to help their community, the results are far better. We had a notion about slum dwellers — them being uneducated and not knowing their own good. This completely changed after the internship”. — Shubhi
“As the last village we visited was caste segregated in all aspects, we asked the status of caste in Kadivela. The people there immediately said that they did not practice discrimination and were very welcoming. It was good to hear but when we were talking about the water system, they said SC people are not directly allowed to take water from the well. We asked the reason and they just simply said it is historical practice and had no explanations.” — Jeyasundari

Economics Club

The Economics Club, a student-run initiative, aims to expand the horizons of students beyond their classrooms through creative events. The club is open to students and faculty across all disciplines. It works towards encouraging students to critically think about the world around them by engaging with economic questions. The club hosts a range of activities each year including film screenings, games and quizzes, guest lectures, reading circles and poetry recitations. Through these events, it hopes to integrate learning and lived experiences through a practical approach.

List of events:

Semester – January 2026 – May 2026