Economics

The Department of Economics, established in 1954, is one of the premiere departments of Sri Venkateswara University. The department was instrumental for the establishment of Commerce, Political Science, Population Studies, Adult Education and Econometrics departments, in the university because these courses were inter-disciplinary courses of the economics department during the initial years of their establishment. The department has a commendable record of teaching, research and training to its credit with committed, competent and experienced faculty members. Over all 256 Ph.Ds and 192 M.Phil scholars were trained since the inception of the department. At present 38 Ph.D scholars are being trained by the faculty in the department. During an academic year the department trains 165 Post Graduate students in Economics through regular and self-finance modes. The Department of Economics is also training the B.Tech students in Economics under inter-disciplinary programme in the S.V.U. College of Engineering, Tirupati. Apart from teaching and research guidance, the department has a creditable record of successfully completing research projects funded by different national and international agencies. About 99 major research projects funded by UGC, ICSSR, Planning Commission and Government of Andhra Pradesh were completed upto 2021. It is gratifying to note that some of the students trained in the department are well placed in the Andhra Pradesh Government services, reputed academic institutions and software companies.
The Department of Economics has been a pioneer in the organization of Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Refresher Courses, etc. Annual Conference of Indian Economic Association and the Indian Society of Labour Economics are the important conferences organized by the department. The Department has been instrumental in the formation of A.P. Economic Association. A good number of National Seminars and Workshops have been organized by the Department. The Department is well-known for the organization of Courses in Research Methodology and Summer Courses. During the last five years, the Department has organized three National Seminars, one Research Methodology course for research scholars and one programe on Capacity Building for the university teachers. Besides, Ten Refresher Courses in Economics for Degree Colleges and University teachers were organized by the Department under the auspices of the Academic Staff College of the University and Department of Economics. The Department of Economics is also the first one to get UGC SAP in the entire South India and at present the UGC-SAP, DRS-II sanctioned.
VISION
To promote the department as an Institute for Advanced Studies in Economics/School of Economics.
MISSION
To undertake qualitative teaching, ethics-based research and capacitate extension programs to facilitate research and training in frontier areas of economics in tune with the changing manpower requirements of the economy.
SALIENT FEATURES
1. Innovative competent and research-rich faculty.
2. Entitling learner-centric e-methods of teaching.
3. Economy-Development-Environment conscious curriculum enriched by qualitative
                Prime- infrastructure.
4. Subject-capacity building with analytical and interpreting skills, and
5. Instructive specializations for remunerative placements.
THRUST AREAS
1. Industrial Economics
2. Environmental Economics
3. Labour Economics
4. Public and Federal Finance
5. Economics of Insurance
6. Human Resource Development
7. Governance and Development
COURSES OFFERED
The department of Economics has been offering M.A. course (Four Semesters - both regular and self-supporting). M.Phil (Full time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) and Post Doctoral courses are also offered. The Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) and continuous Internal Assessment system for P.G. Courses have been introduced from the academic year 2006-2007 in the department.
UNIQUE FECILITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT

The department has a well-equipped and air conditioned computer lab with 25 systems with internet facility supervised by the faculty. The students are taught in air conditioned e-class room with LCD projector and internet facility. The department has well established UGC-SAP library with more than 3000 titles to meet the requirements of the faculty, research scholars and students.
The department has nine class rooms, four faculty rooms equipped with personal computers with internet facility and laptop to each faculty and an air conditioned committee hall. The Faculties are using ICT methods for teaching.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
The Department got UGC assistance under Special Assistance Programme, DRS-I (2011-16) with Prof.G.Savaraiah acting as the Co-ordinator and Prof. G.Erraiah as Deputy Co-ordinator. During the period 2011-16, one national seminar would be organized every year and assistance would be provided to prepare five monographs every year to the faculty.
STUDENTS PLACEMENTS/UGC NET/SLET AND PDFs
The students trained in economics are well placed in different departments both in public and private sectors. Many of the students were selected for Group II, School Assistants, Police, Junior and Degree college lecturers and in UGC NET and APSET examinations. Four Post-Doctoral Fellows are working in the department sponsored by ICSSR and one PDF sponsored by UGC and seven Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowships were awarded to the Ph.D scholars.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS OF FAULTY AND STUDENTS
The students of economics are awarded Dr.Vendoti Meera Reddy Gold Medal, Prof. G.Raghava Reddy Prize, Richimen Prize, Prof.E.M.Naidu Prize and Kilari Gopal Naidu Prize every year.
FUTURE PLANS
Publication of an inter-disciplinary Journal of Economics to bring out the writing and research skills and capacities of the students, research scholars and the faculty.
Introducing relevant specializations to understand the challenging demands of Globalization.
Establishment of a research centre “Tirupati Institute of Development Studies” (TIDES) in the department.
Equipping the students with necessary soft skills in applied economics to compete for their future employability.
Introduction of one year P.G. Diploma courses – PG Diploma in Economics of Tourism and PG Diploma in Industrial Development and Foreign Direct Investment.
STRENGTHS
Economics is one of the most dynamic disciplines of the social sciences, which has a direct influence on other disciplines. Without economic evaluation the other disciplines are of little use in practice. The faculty in the department is equipped with modern techniques of teaching and research useful for policy making and necessary government intervention. Faculty and students have been involved in extension activities aimed at the well being of rural people in particular.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND MEDALS
The students of the university are eligibility for A.P. state government Post-metric scholarships and University is providing merit scholarships for meritorious students.
UGC-EMERITUS PROFESSORS
The department of Economics is having one UGC emeritus professor viz.Prof. A.RangaReddy, was a retired professor from the same department. Now he got one Major Research Project sanctioned by the ICSSR, New Delhi during 2020-21.
And
Prof. A. Padmavathi, Retd. has got ICSSR Senior Fellowship during the year 2019-22.