Master of Science in Agricultural Economics Course Syllabus

M.Sc Agricultural Economics or Master of Science in Agricultural Economics is a postgraduate Agriculture course. The Master of Science degree program in Agricultural Economics is a branch of economics that deals with the distribution, management, and productivity of land. Agricultural economics originally applied the principles of economics to the production of crops and livestock, a discipline known as agronomics.

Agronomics was a branch of economics that specifically dealt with land usage. With a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, students can assess food economics, international economics, and development economics issues and decision-making processes. Candidates have different options after passing the Master of Science degree program in Agricultural Economics. They can have jobs in related fields and go for further research studies.

The main objectives of Master of Science in Agricultural Economics are

Apply economic principles to agriculture – Equip students with the ability to analyze and improve agricultural production, distribution, and resource use through economic theories and models.
Develop policy and research skills – Train students to conduct policy-oriented research on issues like agricultural marketing, finance, trade, and rural development.
Promote sustainable and inclusive growth – Foster understanding of environmental and natural resource economics to support sustainable agricultural practices and rural livelihoods.
Enhance decision-making and planning – Build capacity in areas like farm management, econometrics, and development policy to support evidence-based decision-making in agriculture.
Prepare for diverse careers – Enable graduates to pursue roles in academia, government, agribusiness, and international development by providing a strong foundation in both theory and applied economics.

Examination System

1. Internal Assessment

Internal assessment is a crucial component of the evaluation system in M.Sc. Agricultural Economics programs across Indian agricultural universities. It typically accounts for 20% to 30% of the total marks in each course. The internal assessment is carried out by the course instructors throughout the semester and includes various academic activities such as mid-semester tests, class assignments, individual and group presentations, seminars, quizzes, and active participation in class discussions. This continuous evaluation system helps monitor the students’ understanding of the subject and encourages consistent academic engagement. A minimum score usually around 50–60% in internal components is often required to qualify for the final examination.

2. Final Theory and Practical Examination

At the end of each semester, students are required to appear in final theory and practical examinations. The theory examination is generally of 40% to 60% weightage, depending on the course structure. It evaluates the student’s comprehensive understanding of key subjects such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, agricultural policy, econometrics, and more. The practical examination assesses the students’ application skills in statistical tools, field survey techniques, data analysis, and software use (like SPSS or STATA). The practical component is also significant, with a weightage of around 30% to 40%, and may involve both internal and external examiners. Students must pass both theory and practical examinations separately by securing the minimum required marks, often set at 50% or above in each component.

3. Attendance Requirement

Regular attendance is mandatory in all Indian agricultural universities offering postgraduate programs. As per university norms and ICAR guidelines, students must maintain at least 75% attendance in both theory and practical classes for each course. If a student fails to meet the attendance requirement, they may be debarred from appearing in the final examinations and may have to repeat the course in the following semester. Some universities enforce even stricter norms for laboratory-based or fieldwork-intensive courses. This requirement emphasizes the importance of classroom learning, discipline, and consistent participation in academic activities.

4. Grading System

The M.Sc. Agricultural Economics program in India follows a 10-point grading system, which is based on marks obtained by the student in each course.

Percentage (%)	Grade Point	Letter Grade	Class/Division
90–100	9.0–10.0	O (Outstanding)	Distinction
80–89	8.0–8.99	A+ (Excellent)	First Class
70–79	7.0–7.99	A (Very Good)	First Class
60–69	6.0–6.99	B+ (Good)	Second Class
55–59	5.5–5.99	B (Fair)	Pass
50–54	5.0–5.49	C (Average)	Pass
Below 50	< 5.0	F (Fail)	—

Curricular Structure