After the introduction of the new education policy in 2020, several universities launched Online MA Economics degree programs which help students earn a master’s degree in economics without attending college on a regular basis. MA economics online programs help working people get a master’s degree without leaving their job. As per UGC regulations, universities which provide a Master of Arts in economics online program are required to be approved by the UGC and DEB and also must have a minimum NAAC A grade accreditation.
Why Join Online Masters in Economics
If you’re an Indian student or working professional looking to pursue your post-graduation in Economics, a flexible way of learning is through the online mode. Many Indian universities offer an online Masters in Economics. The need for skilled economists is increasing these days in the public as well as private sectors. Financial institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and also research organizations all seek professionals who can analyze economic data and provide insights.
The quality of online econ masters degree programs is at par with regular, on-campus programs. Besides, the interactive formats of the online MA Economics programs make learning lively. You will get live online classes, discussion forums, e-learning resources, and more.
List of Universities Offering Online MA Economics in India
The details follow in the table below, show the list of 50 Universities offering Online MA Economics degree in India. It is more credible than others as it includes the latest fees as well as the UGC Portal accreditation status.(Kindly check the current NAAC grade and other parameters before admission)
| S.No. | Institution Name | Course Name | Address | Duration | Approval/Accreditation | Average Fee Structure (In Rs) |
| 1 | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | MA Economics (Online/ODL) | Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110068 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++ | 18,000 |
| 2 | School of Open Learning, University of Delhi (DU SOL) | MA Economics | North Campus, Delhi – 110007 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A+ | 25,000 |
| 3 | Sikkim Manipal University Distance Education (SMU-DE) | MA in Economics | 5th Floor, Rangpo Building, Gangtok, Sikkim – 737101 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 60,000 |
| 4 | Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) | Postgraduate Diploma in Economics (MA equiv.) | Viman Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra – 411014 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++ | 45,000 |
| 5 | Amity University Online | Online MA Economics | Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201313 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A+ | 1,20,000 |
| 6 | Manipal University Jaipur (Online) | MA Economics | Dehmi Kalan, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 303007 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A+ | 80,000 |
| 7 | Vels University | MA Economics | Chennai Tamil Nadu – 608002 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++ | 10,000 |
| 8 | Bharathiar University School of Distance Education | MA Economics | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 641046 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++ | 20,000 |
| 9 | Madras University Institute of Distance Education (IDE) | MA Economics | Chepauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600005 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 22,000 |
| 10 | Osmania University PGRRCDE | MA Economics | Hyderabad, Telangana – 500007 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 18,000 |
| 11 | Andhra University School of Distance Education | MA Economics | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – 530003 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 25,000 |
| 12 | Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) | MA Economics | Mukthagangotri, Mysore, Karnataka – 570006 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B++ | 16,000 |
| 13 | Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) | MA Economics | Kolkata, West Bengal – 700020 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 12,000 |
| 14 | Nalanda Open University | MA Economics | Patna, Bihar – 800001 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B | 10,000 |
| 15 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) | MA Economics | Hyderabad, Telangana – 500029 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 15,000 |
| 16 | Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) | MA Economics | Nashik, Maharashtra – 422222 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 14,000 |
| 17 | Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) | MA Economics | Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600025 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 18,000 |
| 18 | Uttarakhand Open University | MA Economics | Haldwani, Uttarakhand – 263139 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B++ | 20,000 |
| 19 | Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University (MPBOU) | MA Economics | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – 462016 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B+ | 12,000 |
| 20 | Odisha State Open University (OSOU) | MA Economics | Sambalpur, Odisha – 768019 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 16,000 |
| 21 | University of Mumbai Institute of Distance & Open Learning (IDOL) | MA Economics | Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400098 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A+ | 24,000 |
| 22 | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) – Online Extension | MA Economics (Hybrid) | New Delhi – 110067 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A++ | 30,000 |
| 23 | Aligarh Muslim University Centre for Distance Education | MA Economics | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh – 202002 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 22,000 |
| 24 | Jamia Millia Islamia Centre for Distance & Online Education | MA Economics | New Delhi – 110025 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A++ | 25,000 |
| 25 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – Online Mode | MA Economics | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – 221005 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A++ | 28,000 |
| 26 | Pondicherry University Directorate of Distance Education | MA Economics | Puducherry – 605014 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 20,000 |
| 27 | Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology | MA Economics (ODL) | Hisar, Haryana – 124001 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 18,000 |
| 28 | Kurukshetra University Directorate of Distance Education | MA Economics | Kurukshetra, Haryana – 136119 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 22,000 |
| 29 | Panjab University Department of Distance Education | MA Economics | Chandigarh – 160014 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A+ | 26,000 |
| 30 | Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | MA Economics (Online) | Indore, Madhya Pradesh – 452001 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A | 24,000 |
| 31 | Dr. Harisingh Gour University | MA Economics (ODL) | Sagar, Madhya Pradesh – 470003 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 20,000 |
| 32 | Rajasthan University School of Correspondence & Continuing Education | MA Economics | Jaipur, Rajasthan – 302004 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 16,000 |
| 33 | University of Kota | MA Economics (Distance) | Kota, Rajasthan – 324005 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B++ | 18,000 |
| 34 | Gujarat University Department of Distance Education | MA Economics | Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380009 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 22,000 |
| 35 | SNDT Women’s University Centre for Distance Education | MA Economics | Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400020 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 25,000 |
| 36 | Mangalore University Directorate of Distance Education | MA Economics | Mangalagangothri, Karnataka – 574199 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 20,000 |
| 37 | Kannur University School of Distance Education | MA Economics | Kannur, Kerala – 670002 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 18,000 |
| 38 | Calicut University School of Distance Education | MA Economics | Malappuram, Kerala – 673635 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++ | 16,000 |
| 39 | Sri Venkateswara University | MA Economics (ODL) | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – 517502 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+ | 22,000 |
| 40 | Acharya Nagarjuna University Centre for Distance Education | MA Economics | Guntur, Andhra Pradesh – 522510 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 15,000 |
| 41 | Rayalaseema University | MA Economics (Distance) | Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh – 518007 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B++ | 18,000 |
| 42 | Assam Don Bosco University Online | MA Economics | Guwahati, Assam – 781017 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A | 50,000 |
| 43 | Tezpur University (Hybrid Online) | MA Economics | Tezpur, Assam – 784028 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A | 30,000 |
| 44 | North Eastern Hill University | MA Economics (ODL) | Shillong, Meghalaya – 793022 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC A | 25,000 |
| 45 | Manipur University Directorate of Distance Education | MA Economics | Imphal, Manipur – 795003 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B+ | 20,000 |
| 46 | Tripura University | MA Economics (Distance) | Agartala, Tripura – 799022 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC B++ | 22,000 |
| 47 | Central University of Jharkhand | MA Economics (Online) | Ranchi, Jharkhand – 835222 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A | 28,000 |
| 48 | Ranchi University | MA Economics (ODL) | Ranchi, Jharkhand – 834008 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B | 18,000 |
| 49 | Pt. Sundarlal Sharma Open University | MA Economics | Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh – 495001 | 2 years | UGC-DEB, NAAC B+ | 15,000 |
| 50 | Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | MA Economics (Distance) | Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh – 495009 | 2 years | UGC, NAAC A | 20,000 |
MA in Economics Online Specializations
The online MA in Economics offers specializations in macroeconomics, microeconomics, public economics, and international trade and prepares one for employment in public and private domains. There is an opportunity to offer a larger audience many more appealing features in the program.
Students are imparted with the necessary analytical and quantitative skills to analyze any economic issue at a micro or macro level and advocate policy solutions.
A Typical Semester-wise Breakdown
Core Subjects incude Microeconomic Analysis, Macroeconomic Analysis, Quantitative Methods, Public Economics, Aadvanced macroeconomic analysis and advanced microeconomics etc.
Eligibility Criteria
Most universities require students to have a degree in social sciences with a minimum aggregate score of 40%.
Online MA Economics Fee Structure
The fee for an Online MA Economics is between Rs 8,500 to 50,000 per semester on average. To make the program affordable, various institutions also provide easy EMI and scholarship options.
Career Prospects After an Online MA in Economics
Students doing a master’s in economics online degree have numerous career opportunities open for them after graduation. The abilities gained from this program can be used in any industry.
Potential Job Roles and Average Salaries
Here’s the information arranged in a clear table format:
| Job Role | Average Salary Range (per annum) |
|---|---|
| Economist | Rs 6 Lakhs – Rs 20 Lakhs |
| Financial Analyst | Rs 8 Lakhs – Rs 15 Lakhs |
| Market Research Analyst | Rs 6 Lakhs – Rs 12 Lakhs |
| Policy Analyst | Rs 10 Lakhs – Rs 18 Lakhs |
| Banking & Investment Consultant | Rs 12 Lakhs – Rs 120 Lakhs |
| Corporate Economist | Rs 12 Lakhs – Rs 20 Lakhs |
Types of Universities Offering Mater of Arts in Economics online in India
Government Universities
There are a few state universities which offer MA Economics online degree programs. Top state universities include Bharathidasan University (BDU) Tamil Nadu, Andhra University, MG University, Punjab University, and the central university IGNOU.
Private Universities
There are some private and deemed universities which provide Online MA Economics courses. Top institutions such as Manipal University, Amity University, and Lovely Professional University etc. offer flexible MA Economics online degree programs with the help of modern technology.
Other Fees
Here’s the table formatted clearly:
| Fee Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee (One Time) | Rs. 1,050 | One Time |
| Exam Fee | Rs. 1,000 | Per Exam/As Applicable |
Master of Economics Online Admission Process
Application Procedures
Most universities have made the application process easier for students and now allow them to apply online. Usually, the applications for admissions in any academic year occur between the months of February and May.
Document Requirements
The graduation certificate, mark sheets, entrance exam scores, ID proof, category certificate (if any), along with a recent photograph. Applicants must upload all documents in specified formats.
Selection Process
Universities make use of several selection criteria like entrance exam performance, the academic record of undergraduate courses, statement of purpose evaluation and in some cases, virtual interviews of short-listed candidates
Fee Payment and Enrollment
Candidates who are selected for admission will complete their enrollment by paying fees through the online method. Further, the document verification and course registration will take place through the university portal. The majority of institutions provide payment plans to facilitate fees.
Learning Management Systems
Many universities use programs LMS systems like Moodle, Blackboard, or a custom-designed system to allow for downloading materials and files.
Virtual Classroom
Through engaging interactive lectures, group discussions, case study analyses, and sessions by guest speakers from industry and policy circles, each live session maintains as much engagement as a physical classroom.
Assessment Methods
Online assessments include timed online exams, open book exams, project and assignment submissions, peer assessments, and an interview viva-voce conducted over video conferencing.
Things to Note before Online MA Eco Courses
Accreditation
Although several universities and institutes offer online MA programs, you need to understand that only the online courses offered by the UGC, DEB, and NAAC accredited (Minimum NAAC A grade) institutions are valid for government jobs and higher education in India as well as abroad.
1. UGC Approval
The UGC’s criteria for an online degree will be at par or similar to that of the traditional mode of teaching. The parameters are Infrastructure, Faculty, Program Criterion, and Student Support Services. UGC Approval is mandatory for any degree course in India. So, check the UGC approval of the universities on the UGC website.
2. NAAC Accreditation
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council accredits the online programs based on the criteria stipulated for online delivery, which includes assessment of content design, pedagogy, faculty development, student support, student learning outcome achievements, etc. Only NAAC A grade and above accredited institutes are permitted to offer online degree programs in India. So, you have to check the NAAC accreditation of the university/institutes before joining any online programs. NAAC website
3.DEB Approval
If you want your online and distance degrees to be valid, then they must be approved by the Distance Education Bureau. So, you have to check whether the institute has DEB approval for the particular course. DEB website .Top employers prefer online MA Economics programs from recognized institutions only — especially if they follow industry standards and have practical exposure. So always join an institute/university which is approved by the UGC, DEB and NAAC accredited.
Also Read: Universities Offering UGC Approved Online MA English Courses
FAQs & Answers
1.Can I apply for government jobs after completing an MA Economics online degree? Yes. If your degree is approved by the UGC and DEB, and the institute has a minimum NAAC A grade rating, then you are eligible to apply for jobs in the government as well as private sectors.
2.Is an online MA program valid for higher education? Yes. If the institute you studied at is approved by the UGC and is NAAC A grade accredited, and the course is approved by the DEB, then it is valid for higher education like a PhD and other courses.
3.Is DEB approval mandatory for online courses? Yes. DEB approval is mandatory for all online and correspondence degree programs.
4.What is DEB? DEB is the Distance Education Bureau, a government body which approves online and distance courses in India.
5.What is NAAC Accreditation? The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an autonomous body established by the Ministry of Education for evaluating and accrediting institutions in India. The minimum grade is NAAC C and the highest is NAAC A++.
Summary
In India, Online MA Economics programs provide a new way to learn academic and advanced economics with practical applicability. However, the UGC does not permit all its approved universities to conduct online degree and PG programs. Therefore, you need to check the UGC and DEB approval, and also the NAAC accreditation of the institutes/colleges (must be a minimum A Grade and above) before joining any online degree courses.