1. About ISEC

The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is a premier inter-disciplinary research and training Institute in Social Sciences in India. Over the years, ISEC has carved a place of pride in Social Science Research map of India by the research contributions of the distinguished faculty and with the guidance of eminent members of the Board of Governors. Today, ISEC is the largest research institute established under Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Its primary objective is to provide high quality academic training to Ph.D. Students to prepare them as distinguished researchers and teachers in the field of social sciences. ISEC has trained about 254 scholars for PhD, most of whom are placed in highly reputed Institutes / Universities / Government and International Organisations. ISEC is presently affiliated to Universities of Mysore and Bangalore for the award of Ph.D. degree.

2. Location

ISEC is located amidst sylvan landscape of 16-hectare at Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru, adjoining campuses of Bangalore University and National Law School of India University. The Institute’s campus preserves a variety of flora and fauna. ISEC campus is situated 12 Kms away from Central Railway and Central Bus station with very good network of buses and 42 Kms away from Kempegowda International Airport. To find the location of ISEC campus, visit our website: http://www.isec.ac.in/new-route-map.pdf.

 3. Organisation

The Institute is organized into nine academic research centres which are inter-disciplinary in nature. These are: Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Centre for Decentralization and Development (CDD), Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources (CEENR), Centre for Economic Studies and Policy (CESP), Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD), Centre for Political Institutions, Governance and Development (CPIGD), Centre for Study of Social Change and Development (CSSCD), Population Research Centre (PRC),and Centre for Research in Urban Affairs (CRUA). The faculty members of these centres provide guidance to the Ph D Students pursuing research in individual disciplines. The strong point of PhD training at ISEC is its emphasis on inter-disciplinary and socially relevant research.

4. Amenities

4 (a) Hostels : The Institute has well equipped hostels for boy and girl students. Full time Ph.D. Students are provided hostel accommodation at reasonable rate.

4 (b) Library : Dr VKRV Rao Library is one of India's premier research libraries in social sciences with more than 1.4 lakh collections. The library subscribes to about 300 professional foreign and Indian journals, out of which 80 journals are accessible online. Library also subscribes to online databases viz., EconLit full text, JSTOR, CMIE-Prowess, Indiastat.com, EPWRFITS, ISID, etc. Integrated library management software LIBSYS is used for housekeeping operation and OPAC. Organizations such as UNDP, World Bank, UN and a number of other international organizations have recognized it as a Depository Library. Dr VKRV Rao Social Science Digital library provides access to more than 12000 rare documents to the social science research community.

4 (c) Computer Lab and Reading Room: The Institute has computer laboratory with internet browsing. Further, Wi-Fi connectivity is also available for the use of PhD Students. There is common reading room for students that is available 24*7.

5. PhD Programmes

ISEC offers two categories of Ph D Programme - (a) full time (residential) for students and (b) part-time (non-residential) for those already in service. The hallmark of our Ph.D. Programme is its bi-annual seminars and Doctoral Committees. Doctoral Committee (DC) meets periodically and provides inputs to the Ph.D. Students besides monitoring progress of their thesis work. Every PhD Student is required to make presentation in the bi-annual seminars of the Institute in June and December after obtaining inputs from DC members. All Ph.D. students have to compulsorily abide by ISEC Ph.D. Rules as applicable.

5 (a) Full Time (Residential)

Full time residential Ph.D. Programme at ISEC normally takes about four years to complete from the date of joining. During the first 10 months Students are provided rigorous training through a Ph.D. Foundation Course Work. On successful completion of the course work, the PhD candidates will be facilitated to obtain registration from one of the affiliated Universities. Candidates are required to pay fees and comply with other requirements of affiliated University where they would be registered. UGC-JRF Fellowship holders are encouraged to apply.

5 (b) Part Time (Non-Residential)

This Programme is open to in-service persons to pursue PhD on a part-time basis. Preference is given to those working in the Universities and Institutions of higher learning and ISEC employees under Faculty Improvement Programme. Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are similar as in the case of the full-time PhD Programme mentioned above except that of age, which is relaxable. Part-time candidates should pass the pre-PhD course work. They are welcome to attend the classes, though attendance is not compulsory. The part-time PhD students do not get any form of financial assistance from ISEC. Candidates are required to pay fees according to University norms and an annual fee of Rs.3,000/- (Rupees Three thousand only) to ISEC. The part-time PhD Students must adhere to all the conditions and regulations stipulated by the University/Institute.

6. Enrollment/Registration

After successful completion of the Ph.D. Foundation Course, students are required to enroll/register with the affiliated University. They are required to comply with all the requirements according to the Rules of the University from time to time with regard to enrollment/registration, and thereafter remit periodical fees such as tuition, service, processing, thesis submission etc.

Contact Details:

For More Information, send e-mail to: aracad@isec.ac.in  or contact over telephone (080) 23217013.

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