History: The Delhi School of Economics is one of India’s premier institutes of higher learning. The school was launched in 1949 by V.K.R.V. Rao, with the support of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It grew out of a vision that a newly independent nation, which aspired to social and economic progress, needed a vibrant centre for advanced studies in the social sciences. Research: The department continues to be served by a distinguished faculty trained at prestigious universities in India and abroad. Producing high quality, cutting-edge research is among its top priorities. The department’s research activity is funded and supported by the Centre for Development Economics, which was established with a grant from the Ministry of Finance. Faculty members regularly publish articles in the leading academic journals of their field. The department figures prominently in the RePEc (Research Papers in Economics) ranking of more than 115 research institutions in India. The faculty also plays an active role in disseminating research results through a widely circulated working paper series, and by editing one of India’s leading economics journals, the Indian Economic Review. Faculty members contribute to the public debate by writing articles in newspapers and magazines, and help shape policy by serving on high level government committees and organizations. Teaching: The two year MA programme in economics is the department’s flagship teaching programme, rated to be one of the best in the country. The newly revamped MPhil and PhD programmes complete the offering of postgraduate education. Placement: DSE graduates have a world of opportunity open up before them. Many are recruited directly from campus by prestigious Indian and multi-national companies, who highly value the analytical and quantitative skills that our programmes emphasize. The department’s placement cell assists students in finding suitable employment.