The Ph.D. programme will contribute to refining and standardizing methodology and development of research tools. Inquiry into gender as a crosscutting analytical theme across all development sectors needs application of both traditional and innovative research design. Need assessment undertaken with non-governmental organizations and experts in the field highlights focal research needs linked to planning and implementing gender-sensitive development projects; skill enhancement in gender-sensitive participatory action; planning and implementing gender awareness programmes for a range of target groups and conducting gender impact studies. Thus, appropriate and need-based research can lay the foundation for positive, affirmative interventions.

In future there is likely to be a rapidly expanding job market for persons highly qualified in areas linked to gender budgeting, gender mainstreaming and gender analysis in both governmental and non-governmental/ voluntary sectors. A Ph.D. qualification would be of importance for positions at supervisory and policy making levels.

Thrust Areas for Research
Consultations with experts on relevance of gender and development studies identified the following thrust areas: Concepts and theories in gender studies in the context of development; gender analysis; gender and human rights; gender relations in family, community, society, workplace, labour market; gender roles and gender stereotypes (combating gender biases); gender training; gender and livelihoods; gender and law; gender and culture; gender and development; gender and governance; gender, education and literacy; gender, learning and conditioning; gender and media; gender, science and technology; gender and ICTs (gender and the digital divide); gender, food security and entitlements; gender and poverty; gender, health and nutrition; gender, extension and communication; gender differentials in access to resources; gender and social security; gender and traditional knowledge; gender planning and development policies; gender and entrepreneurship development. This list will not be considered an exhaustive list and is merely indicative in nature.

 Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is a one-way video and two-way audio facility. During teleconferencing session, you will get an opportunity to interact by phone in facility or fax with the resource persons/experts who participate in teleconferencing session and clear your doubts immediately. The teleconferencing facility will be available at the Regional Centre and Selected Study Centres.

The teleconferencing schedule will be sent to the Programme In-charge and Regional Director who would inform the students. Teleconferencing is done through Gyan Darshan Channel. You must regularly attend these sessions. These will help you to clarify doubts and interact with other learners all over the country.

Radio Counselling

Radio counselling will be held through FM and you can ask questions free of cost with phone in facilities right from your home. A toll free telephone number 110012345 has been provided for this purpose.

Telecast

The Programme will also be telecasted through DD Metro channel and schedule will be informed to students in advance.

Audio-video Programme

Audio and video programmes for each course have been prepared to support your learning. These Audio-video programmes in the form of cassettes are available at all Programme Study Centres. These Audio and video cassettes will be provided for viewing and listening. You can also hire the cassettes for viewing and listening.

Attendance

You will be required to complete seventy-five percent attendance in theory counselling to become eligible for appearing in Term-end Examination. Similarly, you will be required to complete ninety percent attendance in practical contact sessions to become eligible for appearing in practical examination.

Continuous Evaluation of Theory Component

Assignments

Assignment is a means of continuing assessment of theory and practical. Assignments will help you to recapitulate the theory and go back to the text again in case you are unable to answer a particular question. Thus assignments also help to reinforce learning in distance learning system of education. These assignments consist of a set of questions and activities that you will answer at your own place by referring your blocks.

The assignments will cover all types of questions (long answer type, short answer type, objective type, multiple choice questions and case studies). The assignments will carry 30 percent weightage. You will be required to obtain 50 percent marks as pass percentage in each assignment separately. Each assignment will carry 100 marks. In the final result assignments will carry thirty percent weightage.

Term-end Examination

As stated earlier, term-end examination is the major component of the evaluation system and if carries seventy percent weightage in the Final result. The University conducts term-end examination twice a year i.e., in June and December. You can take the examination only after completion of the course, failing which you can take the same in December or June of subsequent years years within the total span of the programme.

In case you fail to get a pass score in the Tern-end Examination, you will be eligible to reappear at the next Term-end Examination for that course as and when if is held, within the total span of the Programme.