M.A. Development Studies, TISS Hyderabad

As the placement season continues, we are excited to bring you insights from Dr. Arjun Sengupta, Assistant Professor, School of Gender and Livelihoods, TISS Hyderabad. In this video, he highlights the essence of the MA Development Studies program and its relevance in today’s professional landscape. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation, our graduates are equipped to take on impactful roles in policy-making, research, consulting, grassroots development, and beyond. Organizations seeking professionals who can think critically, act effectively, and drive social transformation—we invite you to connect with us! ?? For placement inquiries, reach out at tiss.ds.ipc@gmail.com ?? Watch the video to learn more! TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute WRI India Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) J-PAL South Asia CARE India The Convergence Foundation ConveGenius.AI ConveGenius Insights TATA Power Amul (GCMMF) NDDB Dairy Services ESAF Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India) IPE Global Limited Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi Centre for Policy Research Centre for Social and Economic Progress

As the placement season continues, we are excited to bring you insights from Dr. Arjun Sengupta, Assistant Professor, School of Gender and Livelihoods, TISS Hyderabad. In this video, he highlights the essence of the MA Development Studies program and its relevance in today’s professional landscape. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation, our graduates are equipped to take on impactful roles in policy-making, research, consulting, grassroots development, and beyond. Organizations seeking professionals who can think critically, act effectively, and drive social transformation—we invite you to connect with us! ?? For placement inquiries, reach out at tiss.ds.ipc@gmail.com ?? Watch the video to learn more! TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute WRI India Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) J-PAL South Asia CARE India The Convergence Foundation ConveGenius.AI ConveGenius Insights TATA Power Amul (GCMMF) NDDB Dairy Services ESAF Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India) IPE Global Limited Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi Centre for Policy Research Centre for Social and Economic Progress

As the placement season progresses, we are delighted to share a special message from Dr. Surisetti Srinivas, Chairperson of the School of Livelihoods and Development, at TISS Hyderabad. In this video, he highlights the essence of the Development Studies programme and extends his best wishes to our students as they embark on their professional journeys. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation, our graduates are equipped to take on impactful roles in policy-making, research, consulting, grassroots development, and beyond. Organizations looking for skilled professionals passionate about driving change are welcome to connect with us! ?? For placement inquiries, please reach out at tiss.ds.ipc@gmail.com ?? Watch the video to learn more! National Dairy Development Board Samunnati Dr Reddy's Foundation The Convergence Foundation Amul (GCMMF) Amul India Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY - NRLM) APMAS UltraTech Cement Mytrah Energy J-PAL South Asia Inclusive Economics WWF-India Wildlife Institute of India WaterAid India Water, Environment, Land and Livelihoods (WELL) Labs GMR VARALAKSHMI FOUNDATION Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation Council for Social Development Hyderabad

?? Celebrating Our Students: Tanisha Gulati (She/Her)’s Internship Experience at PRS Legislative Research ?? During her internship at PRS Legislative Research, Tanisha Gulati (She/Her) engaged in diverse and impactful research projects. She analyzed the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), delving into legislative research, budget analysis, and literature review. Her work extended to crafting comprehensive research backgrounds on topics such as Electronic Voting Machines in India, the Committee on Petitions, and Parliamentary Procedures. She also explored pressing issues like Prisoner Remission Rules across Indian states and the intricacies of Elections in India. Beyond research, Tanisha contributed to the Outreach team, supporting programs like the Student Parliament and community engagement initiatives, reflecting her holistic approach to policy advocacy. Tanisha Gulati (She/Her)’s academic foundation significantly enriched her internship experience. Skills in literature review, content analysis, budget analysis, and data collection were central to her work. Her coursework empowered her to critically analyze legislative frameworks and policy interventions, bridging classroom knowledge with real-world applications. #PolicyResearch #Governance #LegislativeAnalysis #CommunityOutreach #PradhanMantriAwasYojana #StudentParliament #DevelopmentStudies

?? Celebrating Our Students: Surya Gokuldas’s Internship Experience at Samavit ?? During her internship at Samavit, Surya Gokuldas worked directly under the CEO, contributing to impactful projects in women's entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, corporate social responsibility, and agriculture. Her responsibilities included generating knowledge products through extensive secondary research, preparing training modules, and representing Samavit in client meetings. She also played a strategic role in assisting the research team with project-related challenges, showcasing her analytical and coordination skills. This experience not only deepened her understanding of development consulting but also honed her strategic problem-solving abilities. Surya Gokuldas’s coursework in Development Studies proved invaluable during her internship. Concepts from Development Economics supported her analysis of credit markets, especially regarding women’s access to finance. Modules like Understanding Society and Theories of Development helped her contextualize issues such as discrimination and MSME representation in global value chains. Skills in academic writing and Excel were integral to her work in report preparation and data analysis, while classes like NRBL provided insights into leveraging resources for collective good, particularly in FPOs. #DevelopmentConsulting #WomenEntrepreneurship #FinancialInclusion #CSR #Agriculture #StrategicProblemSolving #DevelopmentStudies

?? Celebrating Our Students: Sumit Sharma’s Internship Experience at Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office(DMEO) NITI Aayog ?? During his internship at the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office(DMEO) NITI Aayog, Sumit Sharma contributed significantly to survey management and data-handling processes. He designed and implemented KoboToolbox surveys, streamlining data collection and enhancing analysis efficiency. Additionally, he conducted capacity-building sessions for DMEO staff, focusing on tool designing, account management, and effective use of KoboToolbox. His efforts extended to developing a comprehensive instructional manual, providing a lasting resource for the organization. These initiatives were well-received, showcasing his ability to improve processes and drive impactful outcomes. Sumit Sharma’s internship allowed him to apply key classroom learnings, including the importance of data quality, outcome-focused approaches, and stakeholder engagement. By implementing efficient data-handling tools and facilitating team skill-building, he reinforced evidence-based decision-making principles in a practical setting. This experience has solidified his understanding of effective monitoring and evaluation practices. #DataManagement #MonitoringAndEvaluation #NITIAayog #DevelopmentStudies #KoboToolbox #CapacityBuilding #SocialImpact

?? Celebrating Our Students: Shubham Gupta’s Internship Experience at Tata Steel Foundation ?? During his enriching internship with the Tata Steel Foundation under the Tribal Identity department, Shubham contributed to the IME Museum Bangalore and TSF’s joint initiative, Project Samvaad, which is dedicated to tribal heritage conservation. His role focused on documenting the intricate details of tribal musical instruments, such as the Thudi, Banam, Kopong/Dramyin, Mandar, Jhapkara, and Pawri. This project was pivotal in preserving and promoting the cultural legacy of India’s tribal communities. To ensure the authenticity and accuracy of his documentation, Shubham engaged in fieldwork, studied a diverse range of sources including research papers, government archives, and documentaries, and conducted interviews with scholars, musicians, and community members. These interactions provided invaluable insights into the cultural significance of these instruments and the challenges faced by tribes in preserving their musical traditions. Shubham’s work allowed him to immerse himself in the aspirations, stories, and struggles of tribal communities, offering a deeper appreciation of their resilience and cultural richness. His coursework in Development Studies equipped him with the tools to approach such heritage conservation projects with a critical lens, particularly when addressing issues like community identity and cultural preservation. This experience reinforced his belief in the importance of preserving tribal traditions for future generations while also highlighting the role cultural conservation plays in sustaining community identities within broader development narratives. Through this internship, Shubham honed essential skills in project management, authentic documentation, and ethnographic research. His engagement with community members and scholars not only deepened his understanding of tribal traditions but also raised critical developmental questions about the sustainability of cultural practices. Additionally, his exposure to policy frameworks enhanced his ability to advocate for supportive measures, ensuring the preservation of tribal heritage. This journey has been a transformative one, equipping Shubham with the tools to champion cultural conservation as an integral part of development initiatives. #TribalHeritage #CulturalConservation #ProjectSamvaad #DevelopmentStudies #EthnographicResearch #TataSteelFoundation #CommunityIdentity #SustainableDevelopment

?? Celebrating Our Students: Simran Moraes’s Internship Experience at Imago Global Grassroots ?? During her internship with Imago Global Grassroots, Simran Moraes worked on the end-line survey of a project evaluating grants provided to social enterprises. She focused on assessing agency, empowerment, and impact at?individual and enterprise levels. She analyzed financial records, interviewed beneficiaries, and observed operational changes to understand how effectively the grants were utilized and their influence on the enterprises' growth and sustainability. At the individual level, Simran Moraes examined the grants' impact on employees and community members, looking for signs of improved skills, livelihoods, and decision-making power. Simran Moraes’s role involved conducting both quantitative data analysis and qualitative assessments through interviews. She documented success stories and challenges faced by the enterprises, gaining valuable insights into the efficacy of grant programs. This experience underscored the importance of targeted support in fostering sustainable social impact and empowering individuals within organizations. Her internship enhanced her qualitative research skills, particularly in transcription and interviews, while deepening her understanding of public policy, development economics, and social justice. Simran Moraes’s work reflects her commitment to creating inclusive and impactful development solutions. #SocialEnterprises #Empowerment #GrantEvaluation #DevelopmentStudies #SocialImpact #IMAGOGlobalGrassroots

?? Celebrating Our Students: Shriditi Raj's Internship Experience at NITI Aayog ?? As an intern with the Social Justice and Empowerment Vertical of NITI Aayog, Shriditi Raj had the opportunity to contribute to critical policy-making processes. Her work focused on preparing policy briefs and position papers for Elderly Care in India, with a specific emphasis on the urgent need for a trained cadre of caregivers. She spearheaded consultations with key stakeholders, including the National Institute of Social Defence, National Trust, and Rehabilitation Council of India, to develop caregiver training modules. Additionally, Shriditi Raj conducted in-depth research on the "Impacts of Mining on Tribals in India," presenting her findings through a comprehensive research paper. Engaging with both bureaucratic processes and grassroots issues gave her valuable insights into the intricacies of governmental policymaking and public welfare initiatives. This internship experience provided Shriditi Raj with a deeper understanding of social justice and the complex interplay of policy, welfare schemes, and their impact on marginalized communities. She gained firsthand exposure to stakeholder engagement and policy implementation, equipping her with the skills to approach large-scale development challenges with a holistic and inclusive perspective. The practical experience of working on elderly care policies and analyzing the socio-economic effects of mining on tribal communities reinforced her commitment to fostering equity and social inclusion. Drawing on her academic foundation, Shriditi Raj applied Amartya Sen's framework of functionings and capabilities to evaluate social welfare concepts. Qualitative research methodologies, such as literature reviews and interviews, played a pivotal role in accomplishing her internship objectives. The coursework on Social Justice and Social Exclusion, with its rich historical context on marginalized communities and strategies for integration, served as a guiding framework for her approach. This enriching experience has further inspired her to advocate for policies that bridge gaps and promote the well-being of vulnerable groups. #PolicyMaking #SocialJustice #DevelopmentStudies #InclusiveDevelopment #InternshipExperience

?? Celebrating Our Students: Shivam Kanaujia's Internship Experience at the Center for Economic and Social Studies??? During his internship with the Center for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) in Hyderabad, Shivam Kanaujia undertook a comprehensive study on the socioeconomic conditions of informal labourers at labour addas in Delhi. His research shed light on the economic and social challenges faced by these workers, with data collected through surveys and interviews involving 50 labourers across four key labour addas: Ghanta Ghar, Shastri Nagar, Medrin Club, and G.T.B. Nagar. The findings revealed critical issues such as unstable employment, low wages, inadequate living conditions, and restricted access to healthcare and sanitation. He proposed actionable solutions, including constructing proper infrastructure at these sites, providing potable water, and implementing labour cards to ensure better protection and benefits for this vulnerable workforce. This field experience provided Shivam Kanaujia with invaluable insights into the harsh realities of informal labour dynamics, helping him connect theoretical concepts with practical challenges. By engaging directly with labourers, he gained a deeper understanding of their struggles and the systemic gaps that perpetuate their hardships. His work highlighted the urgent need for inclusive policies and interventions to uplift informal workers and improve their quality of life. Shivam Kanaujia also honed critical skills during his internship, leveraging his classroom learnings in research methodology, data analysis, and the ethical use of consent forms. Applying the Lewis model of an unlimited supply of labour to his fieldwork allowed him to critically analyze labour market dynamics and inform his recommendations. This enriching experience has further fueled Shivam Kanaujia's drive to contribute to meaningful social change through research and policy advocacy. #InformalLabour #SocioeconomicResearch #DevelopmentStudies #PolicyAdvocacy #LaborRights #FieldworkInsights