M.Phil Syllabus 2025: Semester Subjects, Electives, Books, Specializations
Introduction to M Phil
M.Phil is a popular postgraduate programme spread over 2 years. Focused on research and development, it enables candidates from different streams such as Chemistry, Economics, Humanities, Commerce and Science, among others.
This degree is earned after the completion of your undergraduate degree. However, it is not just a postgraduate degree. Instead, it is often made available to postgraduate students interested in participating in advanced academic research.
The eligibility criteria vary from one institution to another. However, one must have scored a minimum of 55% marks or above in the course of their choice. With India expanding its research capabilities, pursuing an M.Phil in your subject can be pivotal.
Important Facts: M.Phil Syllabus
- Scope of M.Phil in India: MPhil graduates may work in law, academic research, commercial enterprises, government organisations, social service, and other fields. Graduates may also pursue further research options via PhD.
- MPhil Eligibility Criteria: The admission requirements for this degree may vary depending on the institution you apply to. MPhil admission requirements are generally the same across educational institutions. A postgraduate degree holder should have an aggregate score of at least 55%, along with a postgraduate degree in a field similar to what you're pursuing your M.Phil in.
- Phil syllabus at IGNOU: IGNOU is one of the top universities in India for distance learning and vocational programmes. The M.Phil programme at IGNOU is a 2-year course offering students a comprehensive overview of conducting research and using the knowledge to introduce new, innovative solutions to real-world problems. The college offers 10 M.Phil programmes across subjects like Economics, Political Science, Sociology and Chemistry, among others.
- Phil syllabus at Savitribai Phule Pune University: The University of Pune is among the top colleges in India. Its vocational M.Phil course extends over two years, focusing on practical research and theoretical learning. Admission is offered based on the marks scored at the undergraduate level.
- General Examination Pattern: The general examination pattern for the M.Phil programme involves a combination of internal assessments, tests and mid-term and end-term examinations. Students are also required to take up practical research based on the specialisation they are pursuing.
List of Subjects Covered in M.Phil Chemistry
M.Phil in Chemistry is a popular course for Chemistry students. They can pursue it after completing their undergraduate degree in the subject.
Given below is a list of subjects covered as part of their syllabus.
Typical Core Subjects for M.Phil
If you want to pursue an M.Phil degree in a domain of your choice, you need to study the following core subjects:
Subject Title |
Subject Description |
---|---|
Research Methodology |
This course introduces the students to concepts related to the basics of educational research. It explores different research approaches, apart from understanding how to use them to collect and analyse data. You will also learn about the process of creating and reviewing research reports. |
Advanced Financial Management |
Sound financial management is key to the growth of any business. In this core course offered under M.Phil in Management Science, students will get to know about the following concepts:
|
Discrete Mathematics |
This is a popular course for students of M.Phil in Mathematics. Students will get introductory knowledge about set theory, counting principles and matrices. The topics covered include:
|
Organic Chemistry
|
This subject focuses on carbon-containing compounds' structure, properties and reactions. The course has been created to impart extensive exposure to students in the field of organic chemistry. Concepts covered here include:
|
Typical Elective Subjects in M.Phil
Here's a list of the top electives taught as part of various M.Phil specialisations:
Subject Title |
Subject Description |
---|---|
Principles of Polymer Science
|
Principles of Polymer Science covers both fundamental and advanced elements of polymer science, including aspects of polymer synthesis, reaction, characterisation, speciality, etc. It also outlines the polymer classification and nomenclature, explaining its crucial features like intermolecular forces, chain constitution and conformational forms of polymer chains. |
Advanced Marketing Management
|
This subject explores the current trends in the field of marketing, apart from understanding its importance. Students pursuing their M.Phil in Business Management will learn about consumer behaviours and the factors that affect their buying behaviour. Concepts covered here include:
|
Abstract Algebra
|
This is an advanced-level elective course in M.Phil Mathematics. It explores algebraic concepts by using symbols to represent basic arithmetic operations. |
Democracy and Human Rights in India
|
This elective subject explores the concept of democracy and human rights in the purview of the Indian democratic system. It focuses on directives issued in the Indian constitution, helping you analyse the future of Indian democracy from a global perspective. |
Detailed Syllabus for M.Phil
The M.Phil programme varies across colleges. Those interested in studying more about the subjects may enrol at one of India's top universities based on their eligibility.
Semester |
Core/Elective |
Subject Title |
Subject Description |
1 |
Core |
Scientific Research and Methodology |
This M.Phil Chemistry course delves deep into collecting information's primary and secondary sources. Students will learn about the different methods of data collection, sampling and preparation of research reports. |
2 |
Elective |
Business Economics |
This elective is covered under the M.Phil in Management specialisation. It covers different Macroeconomics concepts, apart from the basic functioning of an economy. You'll also learn about different economic theories, inflation and international trade. |
3 |
Core |
Literary Theory and Criticism |
This subject covers essential literary terms, apart from different approaches for analysing different forms of literature.
You'll also learn about concepts like myth criticism, psychoanalytical approach and feminism.
|
4 |
Elective |
Application of Tourism in History |
This M.Phil History subject delves deep into the role of tourism and its impact on the culture, economy and society. You'll also learn about different tourism sites in India, alongside the salient features of Indian heritage, history and culture. |
Specialisations Offered As Part of M.Phil
There are various specialisations offered to students as part of their M.Phil degree. Some of them have been mentioned below:
Specialisations |
Subjects Covered |
Description |
M.Phil in Economics |
|
This specialisation focuses on training students around concepts related to economic theory, applied economics and other areas of finance. If you want to pursue a career as an academician or an economist, this course is for you. |
M.Phil in Business Management |
|
This is a postgraduate specialisation focused on studying business management concepts. Covering everything from project management principles to finance and accounting, this course includes components of research, analysis and business writing. |
M.Phil in Political Science |
|
This course is ideal for those who want to understand the political and socio-economic situation of the country. It covers concepts such as multi-party systems, federalism and the role of the Election Commission, among others. |
M.Phil in History |
|
This is the ideal course if you're interested in pursuing a career in historical research. |
Books and Authors Related to M.Phil
Books can help you completely understand different concepts related to your subject. Here is a list - divided according to subjects - of the top books you can refer to:
Subject |
Book Title |
Author(s) |
Book Description |
Indian Economy (Economics) |
India: Economic Development and Social Opportunity |
Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen |
This book provides a detailed history of the development of the Indian economy and the challenges it faced. It also discusses the country's historical, political, and social neglect while focusing on public action to resolve these issues. |
Social History of Colonial India (History) |
Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age |
Susan Bayly |
This book focuses on the emergence of the caste system in India from the pre-colonial period till the end of the twentieth century. A unique thing about this book is that it does not interpret cast as an essence of Indian culture but rather as a response to the enormous changes in the political outlook before and after the colonial period. |
Political Science |
The Culture and Civilisation of Ancient India in Historical Outline |
D. D. Kosambi |
This book is one of the first original works on India's real cultural history, highlighting Indian history. It also answers some of the greatest questions related to the vanishing of the Indian cities and the rise and collapse of the Magadhan empire. |
Entrance exams for M.Phil in India
There are multiple entrance exams that students take to pursue an M.Phil can apply for. Most of these entrances are conducted by the public, government-owned higher education institutions.
It is important to clear the written exam in order to be eligible for admission. Various entrance exams involve a GD & PI round, in addition to requiring students to secure at least 50-55% marks in the entrance exam. You can check for more details on the official website of the authorities conducting these examinations.
Some common entrance exams you can apply to for M.Phil are:
- JNUEE
- BUET
- GGSIPU CET
The JNUEE is a popular entrance exam organised by Jawahar Lal Nehru University, one of India's premier educational institutions. Spanning 3 hours, it is a mix of subjective and objective questions.
Topics covered in the exam syllabus include the following:
- Politics
- Economics
- International Relations
- Foreign language proficiency
- Linguistics
- Hindi
- English
Syllabus for Distance Learning Programmes in M.Phil
Distance learning MPhil programmes offer immense flexibility in terms of both course fees and learning. Students who can't afford to study on-campus can opt for this option.
The syllabus for distance learning M.Phil programmes varies from one institution to another. But most of it remains the same. Students must take up a mix of theory and practical research to be awarded the degree. It also involves completing your thesis and dissertation towards the end of the programme. They sometimes also differ in terms of duration.
Some popular colleges offering distance learning M.Phil programmes are:
- UPRTOU, Allahabad
- APSU, Madhya Pradesh
- IGNOU, New Delhi
- KSOU, Mysore
- NSOU, Kolkata
Top 10 MPhil Colleges/Universities in India
Mentioned below is a list of the top colleges in India offering an M.Phil degree:
S.No. |
College/University |
Links |
---|---|---|
1. |
GGSIPU, New Delhi |
To be uploaded soon |
2. |
Delhi University, New Delhi |
To be uploaded soon |
4. |
Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi |
To be uploaded soon |
5. |
MDU, Haryana |
To be uploaded soon |
6. |
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala |
To be uploaded soon |
7. |
Calicut University, Calicut |
To be uploaded soon |
8. |
Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar |
To be uploaded soon |
9. |
BHU, Varanasi |
To be uploaded soon |
10. |
Panjab University, Chandigarh |
To be uploaded soon |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What do MPhil students do?
Q. What kind of skills are required while pursuing M.Phil?
Q. Is obtaining an MPhil from an Indian institution or one outside India the better option?
Q. Which degree in Psychology do you think is more valuable, a Master of Philosophy or a doctorate?
Q. Is it a good idea to pursue an M.Phil in Social Work?
Q. What are the advantages of taking an M.Phil course?
Q. Which is the best university in India for pursuing an M.Phil via distance mode?
Q. What are the eligibility criteria for pursuing an M.Phil?
Q. In which subjects is an MPhil degree awarded?
Q. What are some common entrance exams for M.Phil in India?
- BUET
- LPUNEST
- CUSET
- ITM NEST
Q. What is the total duration of an M.Phil degree?
Q. What is the cost of pursuing an M.Phil degree in India?
Q. What are some of the top colleges for M.Phil in Uttar Pradesh?
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur
- Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Allahabad
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow.
Q. Is it compulsory to pursue an M.Phil degree in order to apply for a PhD?
Most Popular Courses
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News & Updates
Jan 28, 2025
Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
Hello!
The M.Phil degree was declared invalid after the announcement by UGC in 2020. However, students who wish to pursue an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology and an M.Phil in Psychiatric Social Work programs still have the opportunity to pursue it till the academic year of 2025-26. The UGC has declared
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes! You are eligible to pursue a career as a teacher if you have completed an M.Phil degree. However, you should also consider pursuing a B.Ed. It will help you increase your chances of securing a job in a school, as most schools prefer to hire teachers with a B.Ed. If you want to become a governme
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Hello,
IGNOU no longer offers an MPhil degree or specialization, as it has been declared invalid by the UGC in 2020. Master's graduates are now eligible to directly pursue a PhD after they complete their postgraduate degree. Students who wish to continue their education after their PG but are relucta
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The MPhil degree is comparatively tough. It is a challenging, transitional degree that allows students to conduct research under the supervision of their professors and hone skills that will help them conduct independent research. Since students are required to conduct research, write a thesis, and
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Hi!
Students who wish to take up an MPhil course can still pursue it through private institutes where it is still available. For admission to any university for an advanced postgraduate degree like an M.Phil, students are generally asked to submit documents like:
- Class X, XII Mark Sheet
- Graduation, Pos
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Before it was discontinued, the eligibility criteria to pursue an M.Phil course required students to complete their postgraduate degree with at least 45–50% marks. The MPhil degree allowed students to explore research and develop skills that would help them in completing a PhD.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The M.Phil degree is now invalid after the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India declared it as discontinued. Students cannot pursue an M.Phil degree from government colleges as it is no longer recognized.
Only the students who wish to pursue an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology and M.Phil Psychia
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
An M.Phil course is an advanced, higher-level master's research degree that is pursued by students after completing their postgraduate degree. It is a bridge course between a Masters programme and a PhD that allowed students to pursue supervised research projects to help prepare for a PhD. An M.Phi
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The M.Phil course duration used to be 2 years. Since the MPhil course has been discontinued, students can now directly pursue a PhD degree after they have completed a 4-year UG degree (3+1 year of research) if they graduate with at least 75% marks and are able to clear the UGC NET exam.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Hi,
Yes! You are eligible to pursue a career as an Economics teacher if you have completed an M.Phil Economics degree. Though you should consider also pursuing a B.Ed. It will help you increase your chances of securing a job in a school, as most schools prefer to hire teachers with a B.Ed. If you wa
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
IGNOU no longer offers an MPhil in Economics degree or an MPhil in any other specialization, as it has been declared invalid by the UGC in 2020. Students can now directly pursue a PhD after they complete their postgraduate degree. Students who wish to continue their education in Economics, after the
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The MPhil Economics degree is a relatively difficult degree. Economics is a challenging subject in the social sciences as it requires strong analytical skills and complex mathematical tools to compile, study, and interpret data and apply it to the real world. The MPhil Economics course is a transiti
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The MPhil Economics degree was primarily a research-based degree that helped students prepare for a PhD in Economics. The major subjects around which students would learn and conduct research were:
M.Phil in Economics Subjects | |
---|---|
Foreign Trade, Trade Policies of India | Fiscal Policy and Fiscal Reforms |
Game-Theoretic Models | Indian Financial System |
Tax Reforms | Immigration |
Inequality and Poverty | Green Economics |
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Students who wish to take up an MPhil Economics course can still pursue it through private institutes where it is still available. The documents that are required for admission to any university for a postgraduate degree like M.Phil include:
- Class X, XII Mark Sheet
- Graduation, Post-Graduation Degree
- Ph
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Before it was discontinued, the eligibility criteria to pursue an M.Phil course required students to complete their postgraduate degree in Economics (MA or MSc Economics) with at least 45-50% marks. The MPhil degree allowed students to explore research in Economics and develop skills that would help
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Hello!
The M.Phil degree is no longer valid after the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India declared it as discontinued. Students can no longer obtain an M.Phil degree from any government colleges as it is not recognized. However, some private colleges and institutes continue to offer it, and s
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The M.Phil Economics course duration used to be 2 years. Since the MPhil Economics course has been discontinued, the new batches of students can directly pursue a PhD degree after a 4-year degree (3+1 year of research) if they graduate with at least 75% marks and clear UGC NET.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To pursue an M.Phil, the interested candidate must fulfil the following criteria:
- Must have a master's degree in the relevant field.
- 55% marks or equivalent in postgraduation
- There is no age restrictions to pursue this course
Other than that, the interested candidates must visit the official website of
Answered 4 weeks ago
International students can pursue either MSc or MPhill at Oxford University. The university offers both the courses in multiple specializations at an affordable cost. Oxford MSc is a one-year programme while the Oxford MPhil takes two years. The table below includes the comparison between Oxford MSc
Answered 2 months ago
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information about the M.Phil. in GIS and Remote Sensing Application programme at North Bengal University, I recommend visiting the official website of the university or the specific department offering the course.
However, based on the information available onl
S
Contributor-Level 6
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