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CSWE,_formerly_CITD,_began_as_the_Economics_Division_of_erstwhile_Indian_School_of_International_Studies_that_integrated_with_JNU_in_1970_as_the_School_of_International_Studies_(SIS)._Later,_the_division_became_a_part_of_Centre_for_Studies_in_Diplomacy,_International_Law_and_Economics_(CSDILE)_at_SIS._An_independent_centre,_Centre_for_International_Trade_and_Development_(CITD)_was_born_out_of_the_Economics_Division_in_July_2005._In_April_2025,_CITD_was_rechristened_as_CSWE,_Centre_for_the_Study_of_the_World_Economy.
Initially_the_Centre_was_geared_primarily_towards_research,_running_very_successful_Ph.D._and_M.Phil._programmes_for_several_decades._The_Centre’s_Ph.D._programme_commenced_in_1969,_even_before_the_erstwhile_Indian_School_of_International_Studies_integrated_with_JNU._The_M.Phil._programme_that_started_in_1971_was_discontinued_in_2022_following_UGC_recommendation._A_unique_MA_programme_in_Economics_(with_specialization_in_the_World_Economy)_was_introduced_in_1995_keeping_in_mind_the_changing_economic_environment_of_India_and_its_integration_with_the_world_economy.
CSWE_currently_offers_two_academic_programs:_MA_in_Economics_(with_specialization_in_World_Economy)_and_a_Ph.D._in_Economics_(World_Economy)._Both_programs_aim_to_equip_students_with_skills,_knowledge_and_tools_to_analyze,_comprehend,_and_address_global_economic_issues._The_curricula_for_both_programmes_are_designed_such_that_the_core_courses_provide_foundations_in_economics_discipline_while_optional_courses_cover_a_wide_range_of_specializations_including_International_Trade_Economics,_Development_Economics,_Economics_of_Technology,_Natural_Resources,_Financial_Economics,_Information_Economics,_Law_and_Economics,_Public_Finance,_Economics_of_Human_Capital,_Environment_and_Sustainable_Development_etc._Each_of_the_two_programmes_is_running_successfully_for_several_decades_and_has_emerged_as_one_of_the_most_sought-after_programmes_for_higher_education_in_the_field_of_Economics_in_India.
Over_the_years,_CSWE_(formerly_CITD)_has_created_a_niche_for_itself_in_teaching_and_research_in_areas_of_global_economic_importance._The_first_head_was_the_renowned_economist,_the_late_Professor_A_K_Dasgupta._He_was_succeeded_by_our_distinguished_colleague_Professor_Ashok_Guha,_who_was_the_guiding_force_of_the_Centre_since_1963,_until_his_retirement._He_continued_to_be_involved_in_the_teaching_programmes_of_the_Centre_until_recently._Former_faculty_include_B.S._Minhas,_Subimal_Mukherji,_Partha_Dasgupta_and_others._Stalwarts_like_John_Hicks,_James_Meade_and_Robert_Baldwin_have_visited_the_division_to_deliver_lecture-series.
The_Centre_is_currently_served_by_distinguished_faculty_members_who_thrive_to_maintain_the_highest_academic_standards_in_teaching,_and_produce_high_quality,_cutting-edge_research_and_regularly_publish_articles_in_the_leading_academic_journals_of_their_field._Faculty_members_have_been_conferred_with_various_honours,_awards_and_distinctions_for_their_academic_and_professional_contributions._They_have_secured_highly_competitive_research_funds,_are_invited_to_visit_reputed_economic_departments,_are_editorial_board_members_of_high_ranked_journals,_and_serve_as_experts_on_various_government_committees_contributing_to_academics_and_policy_making.
Our_graduates_are_well_established_in_India_and_abroad,_holding_positions_of_great_responsibility_in_academic_institutions,_government_agencies,_international_organizations_and_the_corporate_houses.
The_Centre_runs_a_discussion_paper_series_for_dissemination_of_research_conducted_by_its_faculty_and_students._To_expose_students_to_recent_developments_in_the_discipline_of_economics_and_provide_a_stimulating_research_environment,_the_Centre_also_conducts_a_seminar_series_and_organizes_Conferences_on_select_themes.
The_Centre_received_an_endowment_from_the_Ford_Foundation_in_1993._This_enabled_the_centre_to_provide_scholarships_to_students,_to_maintain_its_own_well_stocked_library_and_to_appoint_a_Ford_Fellow_from_time_to_time,_who_participates_in_its_teaching_and_research_activities.