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Master in Liberal Studies (MLS)

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Beginning with the academic session 2024-25, Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute (a Constituent Institute of the University of Allahabad), Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), offers a Master in Liberal Studies (MLS) postgraduate degree programme in accordance with National Education Policy 2020.

The institute, with its secure environment and beautiful campus, fosters a conducive learning atmosphere that is highly desirable among independent-minded and imaginative learners. Students and scholars have their intellectual desires fulfilled by the library’s ample furnishings and healthy debates and discussions. The campus continues to be a hub of intellectual and cultural activity, with a diverse array of academic programmes and positive teacher-student interactions. Other academic initiatives, including invited lectures and summer schools, in addition to a series of seminars and conferences, foster a congenial atmosphere for both students and faculty.

The MLS course offers extensive opportunities with an interdisciplinary academic approach that actively responds to the dynamic change, diversity, and complexity witnessed in contemporary society. We aim to train, educate and produce a new generation of innovative and critical thinkers who will approach social issues with informed and responsible proactive intervention. The design of this course aims to equip students with a robust theoretical foundation in the social sciences, including data science, while also exploring various aspects of art, aesthetics, music, and culture. This will help to develop a world view and get accustomed to a critical but collective thinking culture while interacting with different stakeholders around the world. The course aims to achieve a successful education that equips students with job-related skills and other aspects of success.

This course offers students an innovative, flexible, and customisable path with multi-entry and multi-exit options. This two-year Master programme (multiple entries and exits) aims to cultivate the career-relevant skills and strong theoretical perspective necessary for the future’s potential knowledge work force, preparing them for transfer to diverse professional contexts. The course also prepares students for further independent academic research in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020.

Through this course, we dedicate our teaching methodology and assessment pattern to helping the students imbibe a learning habit rooted in the contemporaneous social, political, economic, and cultural ethos of the country with the capacity to cohabit with global realities. Faculties with doctoral degrees from various disciplines at leading universities and institutes dedicate themselves to applying such methodologies to ensure our students’ satisfactory and meaningful learning experiences.

For NET/JRF, as per University Grants Commission (UGC) (https://ugcnetonline.in/eligibility.php), ‘iv) Candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their post-graduation only. The candidates whose post-graduation subject is not covered in the list of subjects in item No. 9, may appear in a related subject’.  The students of MLS may also apply for UGC-NET Examination in any related Social Science disciplines.

Highlights of the course

Total No. of Seats: 20

Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent with minimum 55% in any stream.

Duration (Full Time): Two Year course/ Four Semester (For the Graduates of 3+2) 
                                  : One Year course/ Two Semester (For the Graduates of 4+1) 

Credits:  80 credits for two years course and 40 credits for one year course.

Residential course: It will be a fully residential course

Semester fee: INR 16,570.00 (Excluding Hostel and Mess charges)

Career Opportunities: 

1. Academic/Research in reputed National and International Universities/ Institutions
2. Public Policy advocacy
3. Media houses (both print and visual)
4. Corporate Sectors
5. Consultants at Government and Non-government agencies
6. International Organisations and Development Sectors (UNESCO, World Bank, International Funding Agencies)

Admission: Admission will be based on an online subjective test. Candidates will have to answer four questions (250-300 words each) related to the recent debates on Indian Polity, Indian Culture, Indian Economy, Social Ecology, Science and Technology in everyday life, and Arts and Aesthetics.

Admission timeline