Top 10 Institutions in India for PhD in Economics

1. Delhi School of Economics (DSE)

• Location: New Delhi
• NIRF Rank: Among Top 10 in Research
• Placement: Strong placements in RBI, World Bank, UNDP, and academic institutions worldwide.
• Highlights: Legendary alumni like Amartya Sen and Manmohan Singh; world-class faculty and strong peer research culture.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

• Location: New Delhi
• NIRF Rank: 2
• Placement: Research positions in NITI Aayog, ICRIER, public sector, and international fellowships.
• Highlights: Interdisciplinary approach; socially relevant research; generous fellowships and a vibrant academic culture.

3. Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)

• Location: Kolkata
• NIRF Rank: Top 5 (Research Institutions)
• Placement: 100% placements for advanced students in data science, analytics, academia, and global think tanks.
• Highlights: Heavy focus on quantitative economics; world-class research and data access; limited seats, high competition.

4. University of Hyderabad

• Location: Hyderabad
• NIRF Rank: 10
• Placement: Graduates placed in teaching positions, government research, and international universities.
• Highlights: Affordable and research-rich program with modern facilities and interdisciplinary collaborations.

5. Madras School of Economics (MSE)

• Location: Chennai
• NIRF Rank: Top-ranked specialized institution
• Placement: Excellent record in policy research, analytics firms, and banks like HSBC, American Express.
• Highlights: Focus on applied and environmental economics; excellent faculty-to-student interaction.

6. University of Calcutta

• Location: Kolkata
• NIRF Rank: 36
• Placement: Moderate placements; students opt for teaching or postdoctoral research in India and abroad.
• Highlights: One of India’s oldest universities; emphasis on classical and development economics.

7. Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

• Location: Varanasi
• NIRF Rank: 16
• Placement: Strong academic and civil service track record; many enter public policy or teaching.
• Highlights: Grand research campus; deep focus on Indian economy and public systems.

8. University of Delhi (Other Departments)

• Location: New Delhi
• NIRF Rank: 14
• Placement: Research and advisory roles, fellowships, and university positions across India.
• Highlights: Access to a wide academic network; exposure to leading conferences and policy circles.

9. Jamia Millia Islamia

• Location: New Delhi
• NIRF Rank: 19
• Placement: Recruiters like Amazon, Deloitte, and global policy orgs; growing placement support.
• Highlights: Inclusive campus culture; increasing research visibility; good government fellowship support.

10. Christ University (Private, Emerging)

• Location: Bengaluru
• NIRF Rank: 67 (Top among private universities)
• Placement: Corporate and academic research; NGOs and development sector.
• Highlights: Structured research training and modern infrastructure; rising reputation in economics.

• Your specific research interests
• Faculty expertise in your field
• Funding availability (JRF/ICSSR/fellowships)
• Research environment and academic culture