The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

What The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research does

IGIDR is an advanced research and education institute established in 1987 in Mumbai, India, and fully funded by the Reserve Bank of India. It operates as a Deemed to be University under Indian regulatory framework (UGC-compliant, NAAC-accredited) and is governed by an independent Board of Management. The institute specializes in development economics, energy-environment policy, and applied economic research.

Its core offerings comprise three academic programmes — an M.Sc. in Economics, an M.Sc. in Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and a Ph.D. in Development Studies — complemented by academic outreach products (Visiting Scholars, Summer@IGIDR, Post-Doctoral Fellowship), a multi-series research publication output (DP, WP, RP, PP, IDR), and knowledge dissemination vehicles (EconBuzz e-Newsletter, Econprism). Distribution runs through on-campus residential programmes at the Goregaon East campus, a digital SAMARTH admission portal, and a dedicated campus placement cell that connects Ph.D. graduates with employers.

As a government-funded nonprofit, IGIDR does not operate a commercial revenue model. Programmes are priced at subsidized rates determined by university regulations; tuition is the only consumer-facing pricing, while the bulk of operating funding flows from the RBI grant, supplemented by research projects. The customer base is individual graduate students seeking advanced economics training, and demand is shaped by academic reputation rather than commercial positioning.

Name

The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

Legal name

Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

Website

https://igidr.ac.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IGIDR is a Mumbai-based, RBI-funded Deemed University offering M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in development economics, supported by a multi-series research publication output and academic outreach fellowships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education and Economic Research

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF), Management Research Institutes & Doctoral (PhD/DBA) Programs (EDAHAHAO), Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

Keywords

• Development economics research
• Graduate economics education
• Doctoral development studies
• Policy economic research
• Academic research institute

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

IGIDR delivers advanced graduate education and policy-relevant economic research through M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree programmes in economics, energy/environment/climate change, and development studies, complemented by academic outreach programmes (visiting scholars, summer schools, post-doctoral fellowships) and an institutional research publication series. The institute functions as a residential deemed-to-be-university and research center with faculty who serve on key Indian government economic policy bodies.

Product overview

IGIDR is a Deemed to be University specializing in development economics research and education. The institution offers a unified portfolio of academic programmes (M.Sc. Economics, M.Sc. Energy Environment and Climate Change, and Ph.D. in Development Studies), complemented by research publication series (DP, WP, RP, PP, IDR), academic outreach programmes (Visiting Scholars, Summer@IGIDR, Post-Doctoral Fellowship), and knowledge dissemination products (EconBuzz e-Newsletter, Econprism Newsletter). These offerings form an integrated academic ecosystem designed for advanced economic research and policy analysis education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M.Sc. Economics Programme Master of Science in Economics programme offering advanced study in economic theory, econometrics, and applied economics for prospective graduate students.
• M.Sc. Energy, Environment and Climate Change Programme Specialized interdisciplinary M.Sc. programme focusing on energy economics, environmental studies, and climate change policy for prospective graduate students.
• Ph.D. Programme in Development Studies Doctoral research programme in development economics and related interdisciplinary areas for candidates pursuing advanced research careers.
• Research Publication Series Comprehensive research publication outputs including DP Series (Discussion Papers), WP Series (Working Papers), RP Series (Research Papers), PP Series, IDR Series, Books, Monographs, and Annual Reports, disseminated to the academic and policy community.
• SPANDAN Project Research project focused on socioeconomic development studies and policy analysis conducted by the institute.
• MFEME Programme Academic programme at IGIDR focused on the MFEME area (specific details not fully detailed in available source).

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Trivandrum: CDS is a Kerala-based research institute focused on development studies, with M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs in applied economics and development. Highly comparable to IGIDR in thematic focus and institutional positioning.
• National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP): NIPFP is a leading research institute specializing in public finance and policy, with M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs. Directly comparable as a public-policy-focused research institute offering advanced economics education.
• Indian Statistical Institute (ISI): ISI is India's premier statistics and economics research institute, offering M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs in mathematical economics and statistics. Highly comparable to IGIDR as a publicly funded research institution with similar academic depth and government backing.
• Institute of Economic Growth (IEG): IEG is a Delhi-based research institute offering Ph.D. in economics and allied areas, focused on economic growth and development research. Directly comparable in scope, academic depth, and government-affiliated research mandate.
• Madras Institute of Development Studies (MDS): MDS is a Chennai-based development research institute affiliated with the University of Madras, offering M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs in development studies. Directly comparable to IGIDR in mission, scope, and target audience; even mentioned as a destination for IGIDR's Dr. P.G. Babu.
• Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics: Gokhale Institute is a Pune-based research institute offering M.A. and Ph.D. programs in economics and development studies. Comparable in focus area, scale, and institutional positioning as a legacy Indian development economics institute.
• Delhi School of Economics (DSE): DSE is a leading centre for economics research and graduate education at the University of Delhi, offering M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in economics. Directly comparable as a top Indian graduate economics program competing with IGIDR for students and faculty.

Broad incumbents

• Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER): ICRIER is a Delhi-based policy think tank conducting research on international economics, trade, and macro policy. Comparable as a top Indian economic policy research institution with strong government and international links.
• National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER): NCAER is India's largest and oldest economic policy research think tank, conducting applied economic research and surveys. Comparable as a broader economic research institution, though more applied/policy-focused than IGIDR's academic orientation.

Others

• Reserve Bank of India Research Centre: RBI houses its own internal research function and publications, with overlapping mandate on monetary policy and macroeconomic research. Comparable as an economic research entity funded by India's central bank, with which IGIDR has direct funding and faculty exchange relationships.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/igidrhelpdesk
• Facebookfacebook.com/145834332149375
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/265732

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research