University of Calcutta M.Sc Review By Purnendu

This university has always been considered as one of the premier academic institutions of the country. It is active in the field of academics, research and also placements. The placement cell is a dedicated body of individuals known to be continuously working and striving towards the success of its students. The buildings hosts a number of classes, a library stuffed with books, modernized auditorium, and a recently renovated canteen.

A notable feature of this department is that it has a pre planned well structured curriculums. At the semester 1 we have 5 papers pertaining to Microeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics, Advanced Indian Economics and Mathematical Economics. If I have to analyze, the syllabus has content pressure that is more than many other universities all over India. In the semester 1 the rate of backlogs are well enough due to this. The pressure of 2nd Semester is well enough. I think it is the toughest semester among all semester and scoring above 6 SGPA or 6.5 in first and 2nd semester will secure your places for better placements. And in our time only 3 people got 8 point and 20 people got above 7 point which can fairly disclose the toughness of the syllabus even in first semester. There were approx. 71 backlogs also. In the 2nd semester we have another 5 papers regarding Microeconomics (Game theory), Macroeconomics, Econometrics, History of Economical thoughts and Development Economics. From 3rd semester we have our specialisation. The most common specialisation is opting for international trade and most uncommon are Operations Research, Game Theory, Institutional Economics, etc. Econometrics and Game Theory specialisations are toughest ones among the students. And there is a very unique course offering by the department that is Marxian Economics which is the specialty of our department among all central and state universities. And also there is a provision of group projects which is very help full to build research skills.

Most of the faculties and guest faculties are well qualified and experts in their fields of teachings. Faculties of this university were research scholars from well known universities of Abroad and also Jadavpur and Calcutta University itself. There are guest faculties from St, Xavier’s Kolkata, Jadavpur University, ISI Calcutta, IIMS Calcutta, etc. They are allotted for some special papers. Overall there is no doubt on teaching quality of this university. That's why it is called premier university.

There are separate dedicated placement cell for the university students. But the students above 6 CGPA have an advantage to sit for placement drives. But recently during covid and post covid period this department has worst condition in placement scenario. It has a MOU with Genpact. Besides HSBC, TCS, Nielsen, Accenture, Ipsos, and Delloit are some common recruiters. But overall placement scenario is not up to the mark now a day.

There is a boy’s hostel near to the campus. Students from another states or North Bengal, Murshidabad, Bankura, etc. are given these provisions. But most of the students prefer PG near to the campus rather than student hostel.

There is no doubt about the infrastructure. Economics has totally separate campus. We have modernized classroom, seminar room, and other amenities. If I compare the private or central universities like IIFT, or Delhi University then there are lot of scope of improvement but overall there are provision of air conditioned auditorium and classroom, and well structured laboratory ( for mostly ecometrics and operations research), and research rooms, etc. Canteens are also good and workers of canteen, security personnel all are friendly.

Campus life of Calcutta University department of Economics is very peaceful without any political controversy like many central universities (HCU, JNU, etc.). Students are involved in various kinds of activities like organising farewell, freshers, Kantakol, and different tournaments for games like table tennis, cricket and football. There is separate girl’s common room also. Overall campus life is good here.