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Artssocial sciences

Economist

Economists analyse data, build models and advise on policy, markets and business decisions. In India you can enter via BA/BSc economics, quantitative programmes at IITs, MBAs or professional finance routes and work in government, think-tanks, banks, industry or research.

Salary range
₹4–35 LPA
Job growth
high
Work type
Office / Remote / Hybrid
Paths to entry
4 routes

Actions for your grade

  • Practice higher-level maths problems and basic statistics
  • Follow Indian economic news (budget, RBI reports) and write short summaries
  • Try online introductory courses in economics or microeconomics

Your complete path from Grade 10 to Economist

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

BA/BSc Economics (Honours)
Arts

CUET is the common UG route to many top colleges; admissions are competitive and often require strong maths.

  1. Now
    Arts Stream
  2. Exams
    CUET UG
  3. Degree
    BA (Hons) / BSc Economics (3 years)
  4. Colleges
    University of Delhi · Jawaharlal Nehru University · Lady Shri Ram College
  5. Career
    Economist
Quantitative Economics at IITs
Science

Select IITs admit students via JEE Advanced to quantitative social-science programmes with strong maths and programming focus.

  1. Now
    Science Stream
  2. Exams
    JEE Advanced
  3. Degree
    BS / Integrated MSc / B.Tech with Economics electives (4 years)
  4. Colleges
    Indian Institute of Technology Bombay · Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur · Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
  5. Career
    Economist
MBA / Applied Economics
Any Stream

CAT-leading MBA gives pathways into corporate strategy, consulting and applied economic roles.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    CAT
  3. Degree
    MBA / PGDM (2 years) — specialisation in Economics, Finance or Strategy
  4. Colleges
    Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad · Indian Institute of Management Bangalore · Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
  5. Career
    Economist
Chartered Accountant / Finance
Commerce

CA provides deep accounting and finance skills useful for financial economics, policy and advisory roles.

  1. Now
    Commerce Stream
  2. Exams
    CA Foundation
  3. Degree
    CA (via CA Foundation → Intermediate → Final)
  4. Colleges
    Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
  5. Career
    Economist

Entrance exams

ExamEligibilityDifficultyWindow
JEE Advanced
IIT (rotating)
JEE Main top 2.5LVery HardMay
CUET UG
NTA
Class 12 (any stream)MediumMay-Jun
CAT
IIMs
Bachelor's degree 50%+Very HardNov
CA Foundation
ICAI
Class 12 passHardJun & Dec

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

University of Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Lady Shri Ram College
St Stephens College
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.