Master’s Courses in Humanities and Social Sciences at IITs
Master’s Courses in Humanities and Social Sciences at IITs
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are best known for engineering, technology and science, but their academic offerings extend far beyond these areas. Several IITs have dedicated departments and schools of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Liberal Arts, Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies and related interdisciplinary fields.
For students interested in subjects such as Economics, Development Studies, English, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Public Policy, Culture, Society, Digital Humanities, Computational Social Science, Gender Studies and Human Resource Management, IITs offer a number of postgraduate options.
The programmes are not identical. Some are conventional M.A. programmes, while others are M.Sc., MPP, MHRM, MDP or interdisciplinary master's degrees.
Below is a detailed list of the major Humanities, Social Sciences and closely related master's programmes offered by IITs.
Important: IIT programmes and admission rules can change between academic years. The list below is based on programmes that can be verified from official IIT sources, with particular attention to the 2026–27 admission cycle where current information is available. Always check the official IIT admission notification before applying.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Development Studies / Social Sciences
Admission: IIT Madras currently admits students to this programme through a valid GATE score in the XH paper.
Applicants for Development Studies can use the GATE XH sections in Economics, Philosophy, Psychology or Sociology.
The programme is designed to provide both a theoretical foundation and preparation for careers in academia, policy, governance, development organisations and consultancy.
It is particularly relevant for students interested in development economics, society, politics, public institutions and social change.
The programme is interdisciplinary rather than being restricted to one conventional social-science discipline.
Students can develop an understanding of development problems from economic, political, social and institutional perspectives.
IIT Madras specifies a minimum of 200 credits for the M.A. degree.
The department states that each stream has 25 seats for Indian students, with supernumerary seats for foreign students.
The programme can be a strong option for students planning careers in development research, policy organisations, NGOs, think tanks, government and academia.
Students interested in pursuing a PhD can also use the programme as preparation for research-oriented academic work.
IIT Madras officially lists Development Studies as one of its four M.A. streams and provides the current GATE-XH admission route.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Economics
Admission: GATE XH, specifically the Economics section (XH C1).
This programme is intended for students who want advanced study in economics within an interdisciplinary IIT environment.
Students study economic theory, quantitative methods and contemporary economic problems.
The programme is particularly suitable for students interested in economic research, policy, consulting, government, academia and higher studies.
Economics at IIT Madras is housed within the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The programme is different from an engineering or technology master's despite being offered by an IIT.
Students looking toward economics research and PhD programmes can benefit from its strong analytical orientation.
The programme requires students to complete a minimum of 200 credits for the M.A. degree.
IIT Madras states that the M.A. streams are designed to combine theoretical grounding with career-oriented preparation.
The official IIT Madras HSS page currently lists Economics as one of its four M.A. streams and specifies GATE Economics (XH C1) for admission.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: English Studies / Literature / Language
Admission: GATE XH.
Applicants can use English (XH C2) or Linguistics (XH C3).
This is one of the clearest options for students from an English or literature background who want to pursue a master's degree at an IIT.
The programme is not an engineering-oriented degree; it is a humanities programme housed in IIT Madras's HSS department.
Areas associated with English Studies can include literary studies, language, linguistics, critical approaches and interdisciplinary humanities.
The programme can be useful for students considering research, teaching, publishing, writing, communication, academia and cultural sectors.
Students interested in literature but looking for an interdisciplinary academic environment can consider this programme.
It is particularly relevant to students searching for M.A. English at IITs.
IIT Madras requires a valid GATE score for admission to its two-year M.A. programmes.
IIT Madras officially lists English Studies among its current M.A. streams and accepts GATE English or Linguistics for this stream.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Public Policy
Admission: GATE XH.
For Public Policy, IIT Madras states that all disciplines of the Humanities and Social Sciences (HS) are eligible under the relevant GATE route.
This programme is aimed at students interested in how governments, institutions and public organisations formulate and implement policy.
It is relevant to areas such as governance, public administration, economics, social policy and development.
Students interested in policy research and public-sector careers may find this programme particularly relevant.
The programme is also relevant for students considering think tanks, consulting, NGOs, government, research organisations and further academic study.
It offers an alternative to the more conventional M.A. disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.
The IIT environment can be particularly useful for students interested in policy questions involving science, technology, sustainability and society.
IIT Madras officially added Public Policy to its M.A. offerings and lists it among the four current HSS streams.
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 4 semesters / 24 months
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences
The programme is designed around the study of culture, society and intellectual thought.
It brings together perspectives from areas such as sociology, literature, philosophy, history and related humanities disciplines.
Students are encouraged to understand society and culture through interdisciplinary approaches rather than studying a single discipline in isolation.
The programme deals with questions concerning identity, democracy, tradition, modernity, citizenship and selfhood.
It combines theoretical learning with research-oriented work.
The programme can suit students interested in culture, society, politics, history, literature, philosophy and interdisciplinary humanities.
It is particularly relevant for students looking for an M.A. at IIT Delhi without coming from an engineering background.
The programme is a strong option for students considering research, teaching, journalism, cultural organisations, policy work, writing and higher education.
IIT Delhi describes the programme as a two-year full-time master's programme.
IIT Delhi introduced the M.A. in Culture, Society, Thought as a two-year full-time programme within its HSS department.
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Economics
Admission: JAM.
The programme accepts candidates from a range of bachelor's backgrounds, including B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., B.Stat., B.Math., B.Tech. and B.E. or equivalent degrees, subject to the stated eligibility requirements.
The programme has a strong quantitative and analytical orientation.
Students are trained in economics while also being exposed to areas connecting economics with other social sciences, mathematics and computer science.
The programme contains a substantial research component.
IIT Delhi's programme structure includes core courses, programme electives, open electives, research seminars, laboratories and a project.
Students are expected to complete a two-year, 75-credit programme.
A project component provides preparation for independent research.
The programme can be useful for careers in academia, government, industry, policy research and civil-society organisations.
It is a particularly relevant option for students searching for an economics master's at an IIT.
Students should pay close attention to the mathematics requirements before applying.
IIT Delhi's HSS department describes the programme as a two-year full-time M.Sc. in Economics and confirms admission through JAM.
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Field: Cognitive Science
Nature: Interdisciplinary
Cognitive Science examines the human mind, cognition and behaviour using multiple disciplines.
IIT Delhi's programme draws from areas including psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, mathematics, computation and data analysis.
The programme is therefore particularly suitable for students interested in the intersection between humanities, social sciences and scientific approaches to the mind.
The first year focuses on foundational theories, methods and tools used in cognitive science.
Students encounter experimental design, programming, data analysis and research methods.
The programme includes laboratory-based learning.
Later semesters allow students to take electives according to their interests.
Students also undertake an external project and an M.Sc. research project.
The programme can lead toward research and careers involving cognitive science, psychology, human-computer interaction, brain sciences, technology, design and related areas.
It can also serve as preparation for doctoral research.
IIT Delhi describes the M.Sc. Cognitive Science as a multidisciplinary programme combining psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, mathematics, computation and data analysis.
Note: Because Cognitive Science is strongly interdisciplinary, it is best presented on The University Connection as a related interdisciplinary HSS programme, rather than as a conventional social-science master's.
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Degree: Master in Public Policy (MPP)
Field: Public Policy
Institute: IIT Delhi
Public Policy is a natural postgraduate option for students interested in government, governance, policy analysis, development and public institutions.
The programme belongs to IIT Delhi's postgraduate academic offerings.
It is particularly relevant for students who want to work at the intersection of policy and technology.
Students interested in government policy, think tanks, public-sector organisations and policy consulting may consider this pathway.
It is also relevant for students interested in research and doctoral study in public policy and allied fields.
The programme should not be confused with the M.A. programmes offered by IIT Delhi's HSS department.
Admission rules, eligibility and the specific policy-school structure should be checked against the current IIT Delhi admission notification before applying.
IIT Delhi's official 2026–27 PG admissions portal lists Master in Public Policy as a postgraduate programme.
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Society, Culture and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
The programme is designed for students from any disciplinary background.
IIT Gandhinagar describes it as an interdisciplinary programme covering key areas of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Major disciplinary perspectives include literature, sociology, anthropology, political science and history.
The programme explores themes such as identity, democracy, tradition, modernity, citizenship and selfhood.
Students are introduced to theoretical debates as well as methods used to understand society and culture.
Fieldwork and real-life observation form an important part of the programme's interdisciplinary approach.
Students can encounter areas such as environmental politics, anthropology, public policy, philosophy, psychology, archaeology, Indian history, digital cultures, cinema and cultural studies through courses offered by the programme.
Research is an important component.
Students can pursue internships and research experiences outside the institute.
Career possibilities identified by the programme include journalism, advertising, media, communication, writing, teaching, HR, NGOs, policy think tanks and academia.
IIT Gandhinagar states that for the 2026 admission cycle, admission to the M.A. programme is through valid GATE scores.
The programme's minimum application criterion includes a bachelor's degree in any discipline with the prescribed minimum marks.
The official IIT Gandhinagar programme page provides the current programme description, curriculum examples, 2026 GATE admission information and career areas.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Degree: Master in Public Policy (MPP)
Centre: Centre for Policy Studies
Field: Public Policy
The programme is designed for students interested in policy research and public decision-making.
It is relevant to the intersection of government, technology, society, economics and development.
The IIT Bombay environment makes the programme particularly relevant for students interested in policy questions involving technology and innovation.
Students can explore policy problems from interdisciplinary perspectives.
The programme can be relevant to careers in policy research, government, think tanks, consulting, NGOs and development organisations.
Students interested in academic research may also consider it as preparation for doctoral study.
It is a separate programme from IIT Bombay's M.A.+Ph.D. Philosophy programme and M.A. by Research.
IIT Bombay's official master's programme directory lists Master in Public Policy under its Centre for Policy Studies.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Degree: Master in Development Practice (MDP)
Centre: Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA)
Field: Development / Public Policy / Rural and Social Development
The programme is intended for students interested in development practice rather than purely theoretical study.
It is particularly relevant to development problems involving communities, institutions, technology and public systems.
The programme sits at the intersection of social development, technology, policy and field-level implementation.
It can be useful for students interested in development organisations and policy implementation.
The programme's interdisciplinary environment makes it relevant to students from social sciences as well as other backgrounds.
Possible career areas include development organisations, NGOs, policy institutions, rural development, consulting and social-impact work.
It can also be relevant for students considering research in development practice.
IIT Bombay lists MDP as one of its master's-level programmes.
IIT Bombay's official academic division lists the Master in Development Practice under CTARA.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Degree: M.A.+Ph.D. Dual Degree
Field: Philosophy
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
This is a research-oriented route for students who want to pursue advanced academic work in philosophy.
Unlike a conventional two-year terminal master's programme, this is a dual-degree pathway combining master's-level and doctoral study.
It can be especially relevant for students planning a career in philosophy research, university teaching and academia.
Students interested in areas such as ethics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, logic, social and political philosophy or related fields can explore the department's research strengths.
Because it is a dual-degree programme, students should read the current admission brochure carefully for its eligibility, selection procedure and programme structure.
It should not be presented on a website as simply equivalent to a standalone M.A. Philosophy.
IIT Bombay's official academic listing confirms the M.A.+Ph.D. Dual Degree in Philosophy under Humanities and Social Sciences.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Degree: Master of Arts by Research (M.A.Res.)
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Nature: Research-oriented master's programme
This programme is designed for students who want to pursue a master's degree with a strong research orientation.
It is different from a conventional coursework-heavy M.A.
Students considering research careers or doctoral studies may find this route particularly relevant.
The programme can be useful for students who already have a clear interest in a Humanities or Social Science research problem.
Applicants should examine the current department-wise eligibility and research-area requirements carefully.
The programme should not be confused with IIT Bombay's M.A.+Ph.D. Philosophy dual degree.
IIT Bombay's current academic division explicitly lists the Master of Arts by Research (M.A.Res.) under Humanities and Social Sciences.
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Field: Development Studies
The programme approaches development through multiple social-science perspectives.
Students can explore economics, politics, sociology, history and development theory.
The programme is particularly suitable for students interested in India's development, inequality, institutions, public policy and social transformation.
The curriculum includes both theoretical and research-oriented components.
Research methods are an important part of the training.
Students can develop skills in both quantitative and qualitative social research.
The programme includes a dissertation/research component.
It can prepare students for careers in development organisations, NGOs, policy institutions, research organisations and academia.
It is also a useful pathway for students considering doctoral research in development studies and allied disciplines.
IIT Guwahati officially lists Development Studies among its master's programmes.
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Field: Liberal Arts / Humanities and Social Sciences
This is a broad interdisciplinary programme rather than a narrowly specialised degree.
It is suitable for students who want to study multiple areas within humanities and social sciences.
The programme can be relevant to students interested in literature, society, politics, culture, history and interdisciplinary inquiry.
It offers an alternative to students who do not want to specialise immediately in a single traditional discipline.
The liberal-arts orientation encourages students to examine social and cultural questions from different perspectives.
It can be useful for careers involving writing, communication, research, education, cultural work and policy-related fields.
Students considering doctoral study can use the interdisciplinary master's as a foundation for research.
Applicants should check the current admission notification for the latest eligibility and selection requirements.
IIT Guwahati's official master's programme listings include M.A. in Development Studies and M.A. in Liberal Arts.
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Liberal Arts
Field: Development Studies
IIT Hyderabad describes the programme as a two-year full-time master's programme.
The programme has 60 credits across four semesters.
It also includes a two-month internship period.
Students study development through interdisciplinary social-science perspectives.
The programme is suited to students interested in economic development, social change, public institutions, inequality, policy and development practice.
The internship provides an opportunity to connect classroom learning with professional or field experience.
It can be useful for students interested in policy organisations, development institutions, NGOs, research and academia.
Students considering a PhD in development studies or related social sciences can also use the programme as preparation.
IIT Hyderabad's official Liberal Arts and postgraduate pages confirm the programme's two-year structure and current availability.
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Department: Liberal Arts
Field: Health, Gender and Society
This is one of the more distinctive HSS master's programmes offered at an IIT.
It focuses on the intersections of health, gender, society and culture.
The programme is interdisciplinary and can draw on areas such as sociology, anthropology, development studies, economics, linguistics, cognitive science, psychology, literature and cultural studies.
It is particularly relevant for students interested in gender studies, social determinants of health, public health from a social-science perspective, medical anthropology and social policy.
The programme has 60 credits over four semesters.
It includes a two-month internship.
The programme is appropriate for students who want to study social issues through interdisciplinary research.
Potential career areas include social research, NGOs, development organisations, gender and health programmes, policy research and academia.
Students interested in feminist studies, gender-based violence, health inequality or the social dimensions of medicine may find this programme particularly relevant.
IIT Hyderabad officially lists M.A. Health, Gender & Society as a two-year full-time master's programme with 60 credits and an internship component.
Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Field: Digital Humanities
Nature: Interdisciplinary
This programme combines humanities, social sciences and computational methods.
It is designed for students interested in how digital technologies can be applied to humanities and cultural questions.
The programme can involve computational methods applied to culture, heritage, archives, libraries, texts and sociocultural data.
Students are expected to develop both humanities-oriented understanding and technological skills.
The programme is particularly relevant for the emerging field of Digital Humanities.
It can be useful for students interested in digital archives, cultural heritage, museums, libraries, media, research and computational humanities.
IIT Jodhpur describes the programme as bringing together computational techniques and the arts, humanities, social and basic sciences.
The programme also emphasises skills relevant to employers working with digital information and cultural data.
The programme is currently listed by IIT Jodhpur among its M.Sc. programmes and had a dedicated 2026–27 admission cycle.
IIT Jodhpur's official 2026–27 admission material confirms the M.Sc. Digital Humanities programme.
Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Field: Computational Social Science
School: School of Liberal Arts / interdisciplinary academic environment
This programme is particularly suited to students interested in combining social-science questions with data, computation and quantitative methods.
Computational Social Science uses digital data and computational tools to study social behaviour, institutions, networks and society.
It is relevant to students interested in the intersection of sociology, economics, political science, psychology, data analysis and computation.
The programme represents one of the newer directions in postgraduate social-science education.
It can be particularly useful for students who want a social-science career but also want strong quantitative and computational skills.
Potential areas of work can include social research, data-driven policy analysis, digital research, consulting, research organisations and academia.
IIT Jodhpur had a dedicated admission process for the programme for AY 2026–27.
Applicants should consult the official admission advertisement for the precise eligibility, entrance test and selection procedure for the relevant year.
IIT Jodhpur currently lists M.Sc. Computational Social Science as an M.Sc. programme and published a dedicated 2026–27 admission process for it.
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Degree: Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM)
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Human Resource Management / Organisational Behaviour / Management
MHRM is the flagship postgraduate programme of the HSS department at IIT Kharagpur.
The programme combines human-resource management, organisational behaviour, management and analytical skills.
It is relevant for students interested in the relationship between people, organisations and workplaces.
The curriculum has an industry orientation.
IIT Kharagpur highlights internships, industry exposure and live projects.
The programme includes an emphasis on analytical skills and quantitative aptitude.
Students can explore areas related to human resources, organisational psychology, performance management, leadership and management.
The programme can lead toward careers in HR, talent management, organisational development, consulting and management.
IIT Kharagpur describes it as a full-time residential programme.
For the 2026–28 batch, the institute lists 60 seats.
Eligibility is more restrictive than many conventional HSS M.A. programmes: the institute's 2026 information specifies eligible four-year bachelor's degrees in engineering, technology, pharmacy, medicine or similar disciplines, or a master's degree, subject to the prescribed marks/CGPA criteria.
IIT Kharagpur's official MHRM page provides the programme structure, eligibility, 2026 intake and selection information.
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Degree: Master's in Public Policy, Law & Governance
Duration: 2 years
Field: Public Policy / Law / Governance
Centre: Centre of Excellence in Public Policy, Law and Governance
The programme combines public policy, legal frameworks and governance.
It is designed to help students understand how law, institutions and policy interact.
The curriculum brings together disciplines such as law, economics, management, sociology and international relations.
Students examine policy formulation, implementation, regulation and governance structures.
The programme is interdisciplinary and focuses on real-world policy problems.
Students can develop skills in critical analysis, policy reasoning, research and governance.
The programme is relevant to students interested in government, civil society, policy research, regulatory institutions and industry.
It includes research and analytical components.
The programme is full-time and residential.
The 2026 admission process included a written examination followed by group discussion/personal interview.
The 2026 written test covered English, quantitative aptitude, current affairs and logical reasoning.
Eligibility for 2026 required a bachelor's degree of at least four years in specified disciplines, including Arts, Commerce, Law, Science, Engineering and Medicine, subject to the institute's marks and other conditions.
The official IIT Kharagpur MPPLG admission portal confirms the programme, its two-year structure, interdisciplinary curriculum and 2026 admission process.
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration: 2 years
Field: Development Studies
The programme is designed to prepare students for work in development practice and development research.
IIT Mandi describes the programme as preparing development practitioners and academics.
Students are exposed to different aspects of social development and development policy.
The programme has a strong applied dimension.
Field-based learning is an important advantage of the programme.
Students can develop an understanding of real-world development problems rather than relying only on classroom theory.
The programme requires students to complete 80 credits.
It can be relevant for students interested in NGOs, think tanks, development organisations, public policy and research.
The programme is also suitable for students considering further doctoral study.
IIT Mandi notes that its graduates have gone on to work with NGOs and think tanks and pursue doctoral studies.
IIT Mandi's School of Humanities and Social Sciences officially describes the M.A. Development Studies as a two-year, 80-credit programme aimed at development practitioners and academics.
Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Field: Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
This programme combines traditional humanities and social-science approaches with digital technologies.
It is designed around the growing role of technology in humanities and social-science research.
Students can study areas related to digital archives, text analysis and cultural analytics.
The programme also introduces technological tools such as data visualisation, GIS and computational methods.
It can be particularly relevant for students interested in digital heritage, media, culture, social research and computational humanities.
The interdisciplinary approach can prepare students for careers beyond conventional humanities pathways.
Potential areas include academia, media, cultural organisations, digital research and technology-enabled humanities work.
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad's HSS department describes the programme as combining technology with humanities and social sciences.
The institute has a dedicated M.A. admission process and admission portal for the programme.
The official IIT (ISM) Dhanbad HSS pages describe the M.A. in Digital Humanities and Social Sciences and its interdisciplinary curriculum. The institute's 2026 admission portal also published a dedicated admission cycle for the programme.
Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati
Degree: Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Duration: 4 semesters
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
Field: Public Policy
The programme is designed to prepare students for careers in policy-making and policy analysis.
It combines theoretical understanding with application-oriented learning.
Students study the foundations of public administration, public policy and governance.
The programme includes a substantial dissertation component.
Students can choose among three broad specialisation streams.
These include Science & Management of Sustainability, Data Science, and Sustainability & Engineering.
The Science & Management of Sustainability stream is multidisciplinary.
The Data Science stream has specific prior-background requirements.
The Sustainability & Engineering stream also has specific engineering-background requirements.
Electives cover areas including sustainability science and governance, economics, energy policy, environmental policy and data science.
The programme is relevant for careers as policy researchers, programme analysts, consultants and professionals in public, private and non-profit organisations.
IIT Tirupati's 2026 admission information confirms an active MPP admission cycle.
IIT Tirupati officially describes the MPP as a four-semester programme with core courses, specialisation streams and a dissertation. Its 2026 admissions portal confirms the current MPP admission cycle.
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Field: Economics
Department: Humanities and Social Sciences
This is a postgraduate economics programme offered by the HSS department at IIT Roorkee.
The programme is relevant for students interested in economic theory, quantitative analysis, policy and economic research.
Students can develop skills useful for both academic and applied economics.
The programme is a particularly relevant option for students looking for an Economics master's degree at an IIT.
It can be useful preparation for careers in research, finance, policy, government, consulting and academia.
Students interested in doctoral research in economics can also consider it as a postgraduate foundation.
IIT Roorkee's HSS department currently lists M.Sc. Economics among its programmes.
Students should consult the latest IIT Roorkee admission notification for the current eligibility and entrance route.
IIT Roorkee's official HSS pages currently list M.Sc. Economics as a postgraduate programme.
Not every programme that intersects with Humanities and Social Sciences carries an M.A. title. Students should also consider interdisciplinary master's programmes where the academic content substantially overlaps with HSS.
Degree: M.Sc.
Area: Digital Humanities
Combines humanities and social-science questions with computational methods.
Relevant to digital culture, archives, heritage, media, text analysis and computational research.
Suitable for students interested in emerging careers at the intersection of humanities and technology.
Particularly relevant for students who want to build both humanities knowledge and digital skills.
IIT Jodhpur currently lists the programme among its M.Sc. offerings and conducted admissions for AY 2026–27.
Degree: M.Sc.
Area: Computational Social Science
Combines social-science research with computation and data.
Suitable for students interested in social data, digital society, quantitative research, computational methods and policy analysis.
Particularly relevant to students interested in the future of data-driven social research.
IIT Jodhpur currently lists this as an M.Sc. programme and had a dedicated 2026–27 admission process.
The right programme depends heavily on the subject you want to study.
Look at:
M.A. Economics — IIT Madras
M.Sc. Economics — IIT Delhi
M.Sc. Economics — IIT Roorkee
The economics programmes are particularly relevant for students who want to pursue economic research, policy, quantitative analysis or further study.
Look at:
M.A. Development Studies — IIT Madras
M.A. Development Studies — IIT Guwahati
M.A. Development Studies — IIT Hyderabad
M.A. Development Studies — IIT Mandi
Master in Development Practice — IIT Bombay
These programmes differ considerably in emphasis, so students should compare their curriculum and research orientation before applying.
Look at:
M.A. Public Policy — IIT Madras
Master in Public Policy — IIT Bombay
Master in Public Policy — IIT Delhi
Master's in Public Policy, Law & Governance — IIT Kharagpur
Master of Public Policy — IIT Tirupati
The most directly relevant programme in this list is:
M.A. English Studies — IIT Madras
Consider:
M.A.+Ph.D. Dual Degree in Philosophy — IIT Bombay
Remember that this is a dual-degree research route rather than a conventional standalone M.A.
Consider:
M.A. Society & Culture — IIT Gandhinagar
M.A. Culture, Society, Thought — IIT Delhi
M.A. Liberal Arts — IIT Guwahati
Consider:
M.A. Health, Gender & Society — IIT Hyderabad
Consider:
M.Sc. Digital Humanities — IIT Jodhpur
M.A. Digital Humanities and Social Sciences — IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Consider:
M.Sc. Computational Social Science — IIT Jodhpur
Consider:
Master of Human Resource Management (MHRM) — IIT Kharagpur
A common misconception is that IITs are only for engineering students. That is not correct.
Several IITs have dedicated Humanities and Social Sciences departments, while others have established Liberal Arts, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics and interdisciplinary programmes.
The important point is that the admission requirements can be very different from one programme to another.
For example:
IIT Madras's M.A. programmes currently use GATE XH.
IIT Delhi's M.Sc. Economics uses JAM.
IIT Gandhinagar's 2026 M.A. Society & Culture admission is through GATE.
IIT Tirupati's MPP has its own admission process.
IIT Kharagpur's MPPLG uses an institute-specific written examination and subsequent selection stages.
Some programmes have discipline-specific eligibility requirements.
Some accept graduates from a broad range of bachelor's backgrounds.
Others require particular academic preparation.
Therefore, there is no single “IIT entrance exam for master's in Humanities and Social Sciences.”
Students should check the admission rules for each individual programme.
Before applying to any IIT master's programme, check these points carefully:
Exact degree title
Department or school offering the programme
Duration
Minimum educational qualification
Required bachelor's subject
Minimum marks/CGPA
Entrance examination
Required entrance paper
Whether the programme accepts students from non-HSS backgrounds
Written test/interview requirements
Number of seats
Application dates
Tuition and other fees
Scholarship/fellowship availability
Current curriculum
Whether the programme is open for the academic year in which you are applying
This is especially important because IITs can introduce new programmes, modify admission routes or change programme structures.
Yes. Several IITs offer master's programmes specifically in Humanities and Social Sciences or related fields. These include programmes in Development Studies, English Studies, Economics, Culture and Society, Public Policy, Philosophy, Digital Humanities and other interdisciplinary areas.
It depends on the programme.
Some programmes accept bachelor's degrees from a wide range of disciplines, while others require specific academic backgrounds or particular subjects.
For example, IIT Gandhinagar's M.A. Society & Culture accepts applicants from any disciplinary background subject to its eligibility requirements, while other programmes have more specific academic prerequisites.
Not for every programme.
Some IIT master's programmes in HSS use GATE XH, while others use JAM or institute-specific entrance examinations/selection processes.
For example, IIT Madras's current M.A. programmes use GATE XH, whereas IIT Delhi's M.Sc. Economics uses JAM.
Yes, particularly for students interested in Economics.
JAM's expansion to include Economics has created a route into economics master's programmes at IITs, including IIT Delhi's M.Sc. Economics.
No.
Some programmes are open to students from broad academic backgrounds. However, eligibility varies significantly between programmes.
A student should never assume that being a BA, BSc, BCom, BTech or MA graduate automatically makes them eligible for every IIT master's programme.
There is no single IIT that is “best” for every HSS subject.
The better question is:
Which IIT has the strongest programme for your specific subject and research interest?
For example:
English Studies: IIT Madras
Development Studies: IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Mandi
Culture and Society: IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Delhi
Economics: IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee
Public Policy: IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Tirupati
Digital Humanities: IIT Jodhpur, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
Health, Gender & Society: IIT Hyderabad
Philosophy: IIT Bombay
Human Resource Management: IIT Kharagpur
The best choice should ultimately depend on curriculum, faculty, research interests, eligibility, admission route and career goals, rather than the IIT name alone.
For Humanities and Social Science students, IITs offer a surprisingly diverse set of postgraduate opportunities.
The most important programmes to explore include Development Studies, Economics, English Studies, Public Policy, Philosophy, Culture and Society, Liberal Arts, Health and Gender Studies, Digital Humanities, Computational Social Science, Human Resource Management and Development Practice.
If you are applying after a bachelor's degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Economics, Commerce or a related discipline, do not assume that IITs are outside your options. Instead, look at the individual programme eligibility and entrance route.
The IIT ecosystem is increasingly interdisciplinary, and many of these programmes are designed precisely around the intersection of society, culture, economics, policy, technology and human behaviour.