Profile of the Department of Economics

The Department of Economics is a leading academic unit within Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus, a constituent college of Tribhuvan University located on Pradarsani Marg, Kathmandu. The department is dedicated to providing a comprehensive education in economics through its well-established undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The department offers two primary degrees designed to build a strong foundation in economic theory and application: 

Academic Programs

Master of Arts (MA) in Economics

This is a postgraduate program of Tribhuvan University following a semester system. Unlike the traditional annual system (where exams occur once a year), a semester system divides the academic year into two parts (usually 15–18 weeks each).

• Students are evaluated through mid-terms, assignments, and presentations, preventing "exam fatigue" at the end of the year.
• Students typically take fewer subjects at a time, allowing for a deeper dive into specific modules.
• This is a credit accommodate system aligns with international standards, making it easier for students to transfer credits to foreign universities for further PhD or research opportunities.

The program recognizes that postgraduate students often have "opportunity costs"—the need to choose between earning a salary and earning a degree. This model eliminates that choice. To accommodate diverse student needs, the MA program offers two delivery modalities: in-person classes during the morning shift and fully online classes during the evening shift.

A. In-Person (Morning Shift)

• Full-time students, local residents, and those who prefer face-to-face interaction.
• These classes take place on a physical campus. This modality favors "kinesthetic learners" and those who benefit from the networking and social environment of a university.
• The morning shift (6:15 AM – 9:15 AM) is ideal for those who want to finish their academic requirements early and keep the rest of the day free for internships or research.

B. Fully Online (Evening Shift)

A student in a rural area of Nepal can earn the same MA degree from a top-tier institution in Kathmandu without the high cost of relocating. Teachers, bankers, or civil servants can pursue their Master’s without taking a "study leave" or resigning from their posts. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals who may have household responsibilities during the day but wish to continue their education at night.

• Working professionals, students living in remote districts, or those with family care responsibilities during the day.
• Lectures are delivered via digital platforms (Teams). It provides the same curriculum as the morning shift but removes the need for commuting.
• The evening shift (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) allows professionals to attend classes immediately after their workday ends, regardless of their geographical location.

Eligibility for MA Students in Economics

• Prospective students must possess a Bachelor's degree with a major in Economics, a degree from the Faculty of Management, or have completed a minimum of 8 credits or 150 marks in courses related to Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics

An undergraduate program is being conducted under the Tribhuvan University's annual system.

Eligibility for BA Students in Economics

• Prospective students must have successfully completed their 10+2 (Higher Secondary), Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL), or an equivalent degree from a recognized board or university.
• Students from any stream (Humanities, Science, Management, or Education) are eligible to apply.
• Generally, it requires a minimum 'D+' grade in all subjects of Grade 11 and 12. Notably, TU has removed the previous requirement of having studied Economics at the +2 level to major in it for a BA; students can now choose Economics regardless of their previous background.
• For standard BA programs, there is often no entrance exam; admission is granted based on academic records.

The Department of Economics at Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus, Tribhuvan University, offers Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) programs in Economics. The MA program is available in both physical (on-campus) and online modes of study to accommodate student needs. Prospective students seeking detailed information on admission criteria, curriculum, semester schedules, or mode-specific requirements are advised to direct all inquiries to the Department of Economics, Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus (TU).

Research, Workshops, and Collaborative Practices

The Department of Economics at Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus seeks to establish partnerships with academic institutions, researchers, industries, and communities at the national and international levels. Through these collaborations, we aim to share our expertise and experiences, fostering a valuable exchange of information and ideas.

• Academic publication - a peer-reviewed journal - the Economic Review of Nepal set a quality standard, promote academic integrity, and enhance the university's scholarly reputation.
• Cost - benefit analysis of mushroom farming (A UGC funded research project): A UGC-funded project on mushroom farming provides a model for securing grants and conducting applied research with direct economic implications in Nepal. It demonstrates how university research can move beyond theory to address real-world economic problems and inform local agricultural practices, and contribute to rural livelihood discussions.
• Econometric Modeling and Forecasting (Series - I and II, June 2025): The specialized workshop series were conducted on econometric modeling that addresses a critical skills gap, equipping faculty, researchers, and students with tools for modern economic analysis.

The Department of Economics welcomes inquiries and proposals for scholarly collaboration. This includes joint research projects, co-organized seminars, academic consultations, and other forms of knowledge exchange. Interested parties are encouraged to contact our designated program coordinator to initiate discussions.

Contact Person: Jeebanath Adhikari

Email: jeebanath.adhikari@rrlc.tu.edu.np

Academic Publishing: Economic Review of Nepal (ERN)

Academic Publishing

A cornerstone of the department's scholarly contribution is the publication of the “Economic Review of Nepal (ERN),” a peer-reviewed academic journal. The ERN is managed through the Nepal Journals Online (NepJOL) platform and adheres to strict submission guidelines based on the APA style, ensuring its standing as a credible source for economic research in Nepal.

Name of the Journal: Economic Review of Nepal (ERN)

Publisher: Department of Economics, Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus, Tribhuvan University

Mode of Publication: Online

Publication Frequency: Biannual (two issues per year)

Peer Review Process: Single-blind peer review

Access Policy: Immediate open access, published under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC 4.0)

International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 2631-2174 eISSN 2976-1425

Establishment: The journal was established in 2019.

Website: https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/ern/about

Authors with articles that align with the journal's scope and guidelines are invited to contact the designated publication coordinator for submission and procedural inquiries.  

Contact Person: Ram Prasad Gajurel

Email: ram.gajurel@mahmc.tu.edu.np

Faculties of Economics

The department is supported by a dedicated team of faculty members with specialized expertise across various economic fields. The faculty is actively involved in research, contributing to academic discourse and policy development. The department fosters strong collaborations with both government and non-governmental organizations to conduct actionable research and community outreach programs.