The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), located in Mumbai, India, is a premier institution for population studies and research. It offers various academic programs, including a Distance Ph.D. program. Below is a comprehensive guide on admissions, important topics, and practice papers for the IIPS Distance Ph.D. program.
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Population Studies, Demography, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Health, etc.) with a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent CGPA).
Candidates with a M.Phil. degree or relevant research experience are preferred.
Proficiency in English is required, as the program is conducted in English.
Application Submission: Candidates must submit an online application form available on the official IIPS website.
Entrance Exam: Eligible candidates may need to appear for an entrance exam conducted by IIPS.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview or presentation of their research proposal.
Final Selection: Based on the entrance exam, interview, and academic record.
Application release: Typically in March-April.
Entrance exam: Usually in June-July.
Interview: Conducted in July-August.
Admission results: Declared by August-September.
Academic transcripts and certificates.
Research proposal (clearly stating the research problem, objectives, methodology, and significance).
Letters of recommendation.
Proof of work experience (if applicable).
The entrance exam typically assesses candidates' knowledge in the following areas:
Population Studies and Demography:
Population theories (Malthusian, Demographic Transition Theory, etc.).
Fertility, mortality, and migration trends.
Population policies and programs.
Research Methodology:
Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Sampling techniques and data analysis.
Statistical tools (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R).
Public Health and Epidemiology:
Health systems and policies.
Disease burden and health indicators.
Reproductive and child health.
Social Sciences:
Sociology, economics, and anthropology related to population studies.
Gender studies and social determinants of health.
Current Affairs:
Global and national population trends.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and population.
Demography:
Explain the Demographic Transition Theory and its stages.
Discuss the impact of population aging on economic development.
Research Methodology:
What are the different types of sampling techniques? Explain with examples.
How would you design a study to assess the impact of a family planning program?
Public Health:
Analyze the challenges in achieving universal health coverage in India.
Discuss the role of vaccination in reducing child mortality.
Statistics:
Interpret the following regression output: [Provide a sample output].
Calculate the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from the given data.
Study Material: Refer to standard textbooks on demography, research methodology, and public health.
Demography: "Population Studies" by Bhende and Kanitkar.
Research Methodology: "Research Methods for Social Work" by Rubin and Babbie.
Statistics: "Elementary Statistics" by Bluman.
Practice Papers: Solve previous years' question papers and mock tests.
Research Proposal: Prepare a well-structured research proposal focusing on a relevant and innovative topic.
Current Affairs: Stay updated on global and national population trends and policies.
IIPS Website: Visit the official IIPS website for the latest updates on admissions and program details: www.iipsindia.ac.in.
Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera and edX offer courses on demography, public health, and research methodology.
Journals: Read journals like "Population Studies" and "Demographic Research" for insights into current research trends.