BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE-PILANI GOA CAMPUS

INSTRUCTION DIVISION
2021-22
Course Handout

In addition to part-I (General Handout for all courses appended to the time table) this portion gives further
specific details regarding the course.

Course No. : GS F332

Course Title : Contemporary India
Instructor-in-charge : Sayantani Sarkar

Scope and Objective of the Course: In the recent past, India has witnessed many socio-economic
changes. It would be useful for students to have greater insights into the key factors related to
contemporary issues pertaining to trends in political, social, economic and cultural fields in Indian
society. The object of the course is thus to acquaint students with the major trends, patterns and paces in
the major social, economic, cultural and demographic spheres in the post-independence India.

Text Book:
1) Drèze, Jean and Sen, Amartya (2013), An Uncertain Glory: India and Its Contradictions, London:
Allen Lane, (DS)
2) Chandoke, Neera and Praveen Priyadarshi, eds., (2009), Contemporary India: Economy, Society,
Politics, New Delhi: Pearson Education (CP).

Reference Books (RB):

Dreze, Jean and Sen, Amartya (2002), India: Development and Participation, New Delhi: Oxford
University Press (DSR)
Corbridge Stuart, Harris John and Jeffrey Craig (2013), India Today- Economy, Politics and Society,
Polity Press
Bhagat, R 2011 ‘Emerging Pattern of Urbanisation in India’, Economic and Political Weekly Vol - XLVI
No. 34, August 20,.
Bhagat, R.B. (2016) ‘Changing Pattern of Internal Migration in India’ In: Christophe Z. Guilmoto and
Gavin W. Jones, eds., Contemporary Demographic Transformations in China, India and Indonesia,
Springer.
Additional references might be suggested during lectures.

4. Course Plan:

No of Learning Objectives Topics to be covered Reference

Lectures
Familiarize with the Introduction to the paper and the topics to be covered Course
1 components of the course handout

3 Understand and assess Economic policies ( Pre-liberalization and post- DS:Ch.2

India’s growth and liberalization periods), Growth Rates of GDP, Human and Ch.3
development in a Development Index and its various components in the post- Ref:
comparative perspective independence period in comparison with other countries in suggested
South Asia and beyond during
lecture
4 Understand and analyze Determination of ‘poverty line’, poverty beyond poverty DS:Ch.7
the magnitude of poverty line, challenges and public/social policies for poverty Ref:
 and issues related to social eradication – critical evaluation suggested
support during
lecture
6 Understand and analyse Progress in Literacy Rates, Primary school education, DS:Ch.5
India’s educational sector,
Himachal Pradesh model, Female education, Challenges of Ref:
its performance and Higher Education, Educational Standards, Privileged suggested
challenges Excellence, Private Schools and Quality Question, New during
education policy lecture
6 Understand the importance Public Health, Child Health, Immunization, and Nutrition; DS:Ch.6
and evaluate the Various indications of a Health Care Crisis, Lessons from Ref:
performance of India’s Tamil Nadu’s experience ; India in Pandemic Covid-19 suggested
Health Care Sector during
lecture
10 Assess the reach and grip Income Inequalities, Rise of the middle class, Gender- DS:Ch.8;
of inequality in India Based Inequalities, Caste-Based Inequalities, Other DSR:Ch.7
inequalities– Trends, Implications and Remedies CP: Ch. 8
Ref:
suggested
during
lecture
4 Illuminate India’s Urbanization in post-Independence India, trends, spatial Bhagat
urbanization patterns, patterns, major drivers, urban problems, urban governance, (2011);
processes and implications major initiatives and associated urban challenges, SMART Bhagat
cities in India (2016)
Ref:
suggested
during
lecture
4 Evaluate India’s Democratic Practices and Functioning of Democratic DS:Ch.9
Democracy, Inequality Institutions, Political parties in India, Public Reasoning and Ref:
and Public Reasoning Democratic Engagement, Strengths and Limits of Indian suggested
Media, Major challenges of Indian democracy during
lecture
4 Reflect and analyze the Nature, Importance and Challenges of Secularism in Indian
CP: Ch.18
Indian Secularism and its context
Ref
prospects
4 Reflect and analyze recent Climate change in India, Globalization in India
trends, patterns and paces Ref
of New India

5. Evaluation Scheme:

Sl. Evaluation Component Weighting Marks (FM Duration Date & Time Nature of Component
No. (%) 100)
1. Evaluation 1 10 10 1 week TBA Paper review (group)

2. Mid term 30 30 (4:00 PM - 5:30 16/10/21, Open book

PM) Saturday

3. Evaluation 3 2 20 20 1 month TBA Group term paper

4. Comprehensive exam 40 40 120 mins 23/12/21 (FN) Open book

6. Consultation Hour: via Google Meet @ sayantanis@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in (whatsapp @8879076091)

7. Course Notices: Notices, if any, concerning the course will be displayed on the Website.
8. Make-up: The make-up for an evaluation component will be given only in genuine cases.
9. Academic Honesty and Integrity Policy: Academic honesty and integrity are to be maintained by all the
students throughout the semester and no type of academic dishonesty is acceptable.

Sayantani Sarkar
IC