Ever since the college was founded in 1922 as the one offering intermediate course in Humanities and Social Sciences, the Department of Economics was in existence. Undergraduate course in Economics was started in 1936 and Post Graduate programme in 1957. Right from its inception, it has had a spectacular track record of eminent faculty members who were the torch bearers of economic studies in Kerala. The Department has a wonderful galaxy of alumni as well. The Department also has a legacy of holding invited lectures and conducting national seminars and workshops regularly. The Department celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Post Graduate Programme in 2006. In 2010, the Department has been granted recognition as an approved Research Centre of the Mahatma Gandhi University and since then it has become a rallying ground for researchers and scholars alike.
1922 | Department established |
1934 | BA Economics started |
1957 | MA Course begun |
1982 | MA Programme was restructured with two sets of optionals |
2001 | Introduced Econometrics as an optional paper for MA |
2009 | Started Add-on Course in Tourism |
2010 | Department was elevated to a Research Centre |
2011 | Started Add on Course on Human Rights |
2012 | Started offering Advanced Econometrics |
2014 | Began UG and PG Programmes under Autonomy |
2015 | Introduced Own Curriculum & Syllabus |
2016 | Started Add-on Course in Financial Journalism |
2017 | Established the Centre for Trade, Technology & Innovation |
2021 | Centenary |
Prof. P R Krishna Iyer | 1922-1965 |
Prof. C Z Scaria | 1965-1986 |
Prof. T V Abraham | 1950-1988 |
Prof. D Varghese | 1950-1969 |
Prof. K M Kurien | 1951-1988 |
Prof. Joseph Thomas | 1968-1987 |
Prof. K K Francis | 1956-1991 |
Prof. TV Varkey | -1990 |
Prof. Thomas Kanayamplavan | 1961-1991 |
Prof. C O Abraham | 1965-1990 |
Rev. Mar Joseph Powathil | 1963-1972 |
Prof. George Joseph | 1964-1994 |
Prof. P I Joseph | 1967-1998 |
Prof. Joy Kurien | 1967-2001 |
Rev. Fr. Tom Kunnumpuram | 1987-2007 |
Dr. M S James | 1979-2010 |
Dr. Jose. K. Joseph | 1985-2011 |
Prof. T. K .Thomas | 1985-2012 |
Dr. Jose Mathew | 1987-2014 |
Prof. L Unnikrishnan | 1987-2017 |
Dr. Joseph Kurian | 1988-2019 |
Dr. Philip M P | 1994-2019 |
Dr. Mathew J Mattam | 1998-2019 |
Sri. Oommen Chandy (Former Chief Minister of Kerala) |
Sri. K.C. Joseph (Former Minister for Rural Development) |
Sri. Adoor Prakash (Former Minister of Health) |
Sri. Narayana Panikkar (Former NSS General Secretary) |
Mar. George Alenchery (Cardinal,Syro Malabar Church) |
Mar. Joseph Powathil (Archbishop Emeritus, Changanacherry) |
Mar. George Kocherry (Bishop of Ghana and Togo) |
Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis (Major Archbishop, Malankara Church) |
Dr. Siby Mathews IPS, (Chief Information Officer) |
Sri. M S Mani IAS, (Central Service) |
Sri. Madhavan Nair IRS, (Income Tax Commissioner) |
Sri. Joseph Mathew IES, (Planning Board) |
Sri. Augustine Peter IES, (Planning Board) |
Sri. K C Johny IRS, (Customs) |
Dr. A V Jose Economist, (ILO) |
Sri. Paul Joseph IES, (Ministry of Agriculture) |
Sri. Saju K Surndran IES (Cochin Special Economic Zone) |
Sri. Sindhu S IES (Planning Commission) |
Sri. Augustine Peter IES (Competition Commision) |
Vinu Abraham (Script writer) |
Martin Prakkattu (Film Director) |
Dr. K J Joseph (Director, GIFT) |
Jacob James (MA) and S Bhanulal (BA) |
FACT Aluva All India Quiz Competition 2021 1st |
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S Bhanulal (BA) |
LIC Intercollegiate Quiz Competition 2021 1st |
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Aaron Verghese |
Selection to National Coaching Camp of Indian Senior Men's Basketball Team for FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers |
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Girin Sivichan |
Second Best Paper at Quaesitio 2020 The All India Paper Presentation Competition organized by St. Stephen’s College, Uzhavoor |
Beeya Thomas | MA 2019- 2021 | South Indian Bank |
Elizabath James | MA 2019- 2021 | South Indian Bank |
Annu Wilson | MA 2019- 2021 | South Indian Bank |
Aksha MS | BA 2018-2021 | South Indian Bank |
Senon Geo Baby | BA 2018-2021 | South Indian Bank |
Alwin Joseph | BA 2018-2021 | South Indian Bank |
Arpan VJ | BA 2018-2021 | South Indian Bank |
Annu Wilson | UGC NET |
Jacob James | UGC NET |
Aishwarya Ajayan | UGC NET |
Kezia Saramma | UGC NET |
Shine Shaji | UGC NET |
Sarin Giji | UGC NET |
Elizabeth Jacob | UGC NET |
Kurien Abraham Puthumana | GATE |
Lawrence Mathew | UGC NET |
Devadathan S | UGC NET |
Abin Joseph | UGC NET |
Lekshmi Prasad | UGC NET |
Jiya Tom | UGC NET |
Cyril Philip | UGC NET |
Ann Mariam Roy | UGC NET |
The Centre was inaugurated by Prof. Heinz D Kurz, University of Graz, Austria in 2017
He delivered the inaugural lecture on ‘The free trade doctrine of the Classical economists: No unconditional subscription to trade liberalisation’. In 2018, a Talk on Entrepreneurship was delivered by Mrs. Teena Paul, Director, Giftolexia.
The centre with the initiative from the student ventured into the preparation of audio books using assistive technology to help visually impaired students in collaboration with Kerala Blind Federation and Chakshumathi. Prof. L Unnikrishnan was instrumental in this noble initiative.
In 2014, Georgekutty Thareparampil, the Founder Kerala federation of the blind was honoured for his services for the physically challenged. The centre has got a depository of audio books
The departmental reading room and library offers Business newspapers, academic journals, industry reports and official data sets for students and research scholars.
It also has a depository of dissertations and thesis produced.
Cheruvallathu Zacharias (C Z) Scaria hails from Arakulam, Moolamattom, Idukki District. “CZ”, as he was known, had his school education from Kolapura Government School, Arakkulam and St. Mary’s High School, Palai. He had his B A (Hons) with first rank from St Joseph’s College, Trichy. He joined the Department of Economics, St Berchmans College in 1949 and became its head in 1967. Endowed with remarkable intellect, sharp wit, deep scholarship and above all a keen sense of vision and commitment, he mentored and inspired generations of students which include prominent politicians, bureaucrats, and economists. Along with the late Prof P R Krishna Iyer, the founder Head of the Department, he cradled and nurtured the department to its present stature. He retired from active service in 1987.
Prof C Z was a gifted teacher and an eloquent orator. Though he taught a range of subjects during his long span of career, he was best known as a teacher of Microeconomics. Teaching was always a passion for Prof C Z and be it any topic, he communicated it effectively by the magic of his eloquence. Being a teacher par excellence, his students could experience his amazing erudition, analytical mind, prodigious memory, and abundant sense of humour. He also made it a point to connect with the best minds in the field of economics of that period like Joan Robinson, K N Raj, I S Gulati, etc. and could bring them to the department.
Prof C Z Scaria had the rare honour of becoming a member of both the Senate and Syndicate of the University of Kerala for the longest period (1960 -1984). He was also a member/ chairman of various academic bodies like academic council, BOS and BOE of Kerala, Calicut and Madras Universities. He was always in the forefront to fight for the rights and dignity of private college teachers in Kerala. He was the President of AKPCTA and the Founding President of PCTA. He was truly a multi-faceted genius with tremendous interests in various fields like acting, music, oratory and even agriculture. Being a great educationist, a visionary and an institution-builder, he strode the academic sphere of Kerala like a colossus. He was above all a good human being full of warmth and affection.
Prof. C Z Scaria passed away on 7th March 2000.
Wife: Late Mrs Mary Scaria (Rajamma).
Children: Jollykutty Zacharias, Late Prof Thomaskutty Scaria, Dr Joshy Zacharias, Dr Siby Zacharias, Dr Prakash Zacharias, Dr Valsamma Baby and Mrs Rani Philip.
Previous Speakers:
Sl No | Speaker | Year |
1 | Dr I S Gulati | 1988 |
2 | Dr K C Shankara Narayanan | 1989 |
3 | Dr Chiranjib Sen | 1990 |
4 | Dr P R Gopinathan Nair | 1991 |
5 | Prof K J Oommen | 1992 |
6 | Sri T N Jyachandran IAS | 1993 |
7 | Sri K M Mani MLA | 1994 |
8 | Dr P K Michael Tharakan | 1995 |
9 | Dr Olle Tornquist | 1996 |
10 | Dr Cyriac Thomas | 1997 |
11 | Dr Achin Chakraborty | 1998 |
12 | Dr Gerhard De Groot | 1999 |
13 | Dr M A Oommen | 2000 |
14 | Dr K C Zachariah | 2001 |
15 | Dr Babu Paul IAS | 2002 |
16 | Dr Alwin B Prakash | 2003 |
17 | Mar Joseph Powathil | 2004 |
18 | Dr B Ekbal | 2005 |
19 | Sri K J Alphonse MLA | 2006 |
20 | Dr M G S Narayanan | 2007 |
21 | Dr T P Srinivasan IFS | 2008 |
22 | Dr John Kurien | 2009 |
23 | Dr P M Rajan Gurukkal | 2010 |
24 | Dr K P Kannan | 2011 |
25 | Dr K K George | 2012 |
26 | Dr Jebamali Vinanchi Arachi | 2013 |
27 | Dr Jose Jacob | 2014 |
28 | Sri K S Money IAS | 2015 |
29 | Prof Amit Bhaduri | 2016 |
30 | Prof Pulapre Balakrishnan | 2017 |
31 | Prof D Narasimha Reddy | 2018 |
32 | Prof V Santhakumar | 2019 |
33 | Prof. R Ramkumar | 2020 |
34 | Dr. Rose Mary K Abraham IES | 2021 |
Prof K K Francis was born in Karror near Palai, Kottayam on December 25, 1931. He was the third child of a family of nine children, five boys and four girls. He had his school education from St Thomas School, Palai. Later, he Joined St Joseph College, Trichy for his intermediate course. He passed B A (Hons) in Economics from Loyola College, Chennai and received a Masters in History from Nagpur University. Prof Francis Joined the Department of Economics, St Berchmans College on August 7, 1956.
In the early years of his teaching career, Prof Francis taught both Economics and History. Though he had taught many subjects in Economics at the graduate and post graduate levels during the long 35 years of his career, Development Economics, International Trade and Macroeconomics were his favourites. He handled all these subjects with ease and facility. His classes were lively and interesting. Being a dedicated and exceptional teacher, he made ‘learning a joy’ for himself and his students. With his profound scholarship and exceptional expository skills and above all his tremendous passion for teaching he touched the hearts, moulded the thoughts and shaped the destinies of generations of students. Endowed with the extraordinary talent of penetrating to the essence of a problem, he could make complex ideas and theories transparent and convey them lucidly in simple words.
The late Prof Krishna Iyer, the founder head of the Department and his colleague had this to say about him, “Prof Francis is a very competent teacher with a rare capacity for simple and lucid exposition of the most difficult topics in Economics”.
Prof K K Francis was a vibrant and multifaceted personality accentuated by an unforgettable charisma and commendable interpersonal skills. He was an inspiring orator, astute debater and a seasoned stage performer. He played the lead roles like Lady Macbeth, Iago and Shylock in the major Shakespeare productions of the College. He was an enthralling singer as well. He also left his mark in the area of College teachers’ union and association activities by speaking for their rights and dignity. He was in the forefront of Direct payment agitation of teachers in 1972. He was the elected Regional President of united AKPCTA.
He expired on May 1, 1991 with one year left for retirement.
Wife: Late Prof Leela Francis
Children: Late Shaji K Francis, Susha Elizabeth Francis and Smitha Francis.
Previous Speakers
Sl No | Speaker | Year |
1 | Dr Ramachandran Nair | 1992 |
2 | Sri P J Joseph | 1993 |
3 | Prof C Z Scaria | 1994 |
4 | Sri Dominic Joseph IRS | 1995 |
5 | Sri James Joseph IAS | 1996 |
6 | Dr George Joseph IPS | 1997 |
7 | D. C R Soman | 1998 |
8 | Dr K Babu Joseph | 1999 |
9 | Dr M P Mathai | 2000 |
10 | Dr C V Ananda Bose IAS | 2001 |
11 | Jus. K T Thomas | 2002 |
12 | Dr K N Harilal | 2003 |
13 | Prof C O Abraham | 2004 |
14 | Dr P M Mathew | 2005 |
15 | Dr A V Jose ILO | 2006 |
16 | Sri S John | 2007 |
17 | Dr Scaria Zachariah | 2008 |
18 | Dr K J Joseph | 2009 |
19 | Dr Sunil Mani | 2010 |
20 | Dr C P Chandrashekhar | 2011 |
21 | Sri K C Johny IRS | 2012 |
22 | Dr L Radhakrishnan IAS | 2013 |
23 | Dr K Joseph Thomas | 2014 |
24 | Prof Surajit Mazumdar | 2015 |
25 | Prof Jayati Ghosh | 2016 |
26 | Prof Indrani Chakraborty | 2017 |
27 | Prof Padmini Swaminathan | 2018 |
28 | Dr Surajit Das | 2019 |
29 | Dr. Alex M Thomas | 2020 |
30 | Dr Smitha Francis | 2021 |
Prof C O Abraham was born in Madappally, Kottayam District on September 3, 1934. He had his schooling in Pioneer L P School Ayarkkattuvayal and St Berchmas High School Changanassery. He pursued intermediate, graduation and post-graduation studies from St Berchmans College, Changanassery. After completing BA in Economics in 1954, he served in the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala for a period of eight years. He joined for the MA Economics programme in 1963 and completed it in 1965, securing the 1st rank with first class from Kerala University – a rare and highly appreciable feat. In the same year, he joined the Faculty of his alma mater as lecturer.
Prof C O Abraham was an outstanding teacher and was much passionate about his profession. He inspired his students with a love of the subjects he taught. The depth and range of his knowledge in the discipline, particularly in economic theory, was remarkable. Although he could handle any subject in Economics with facility and interest, Macroeconomics, was his forte which he taught with authority. His scholarship attracted students not only throughout his tenure at the college, but even after his retirement from the service in 1990. He wrote many text books and study aids (guides) for the intermediate and the graduate programmes; the most celebrated one among them is “Economic Systems”. His books speak volumes of his scholarship, analytical skills and hard work.
Alongside his academic engagements he showed a keen interest in public life. He served as a Member, Madappally Grama Panchayath and involved actively in socially relevant issues. Prof C O Abraham was an immensely affectionate person with deep empathy and concern for his colleagues, associates, friends and students.
After his retirement, Prof C O Abraham moved to Kalluvathukkal in Kollam district. He expired on July 9, 2013. He is survived by his wife Mrs Accamma Abraham and daughters Aniamma, Ashamma, Anupama, Minu and Angel.
Previous Speakers
Sl No | Speaker | Year |
1 | Prof Prabhat Patnaik | 2015 |
2 | Prof Pulin B Naik | 2016 |
3 | Prof Govind Rao | 2017 |
4 | Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam | 2018 |
5 | Prof L Venkatachalam | 2019 |
6 | Prof. R Nagaraj | 2020 |
Sri Johnson M P (1956-1981) was called to the eternal life unexpectedly while he was a student of MA Economics Programme in the Department. He was an outstanding student with exceptional academic records. He secured the highest marks in the BA Economics Programme 1976-79. His teachers and friends still cherish their fond memories of him and remember him for his simplicity, sincerity and commitment to life. This award is instituted by Dr Philip M.P. in loving memory of his brother for the annual paper presentation competition being held in the Department. The First Johnson MP Memorial National Paper Presentation Competition was held in 2020.
Elbin Simon departed for the heavenly call unexpectedly while he was a student of BA Economics Programme in the Department. The Elbin Simon Memorial Inter-School Quiz Competition is an annual event held by the department as part of the annual fest.
Carpediem is the All India Inter-collegiate economic fest hosted by the department. It is a platform to showcases the talents of the students and is a sought-after event with participation from colleges far and near. Various competitions ranging from quiz and poster designing to dance and photography make the event vibrant. Altogether, Carpediem is an event to cheer and chill out.
Date | Event |
Oct 11 2021 | Inauguration of the 2021-23 Batch M.A Economics |
Augustine Peter IES, Former Member at Competition Commission of India & Visiting Fellow, RIS | |
28 Sep 2021 | Centenary The Alumni Talk Series 3 |
Vinu Abraham, Script writer | |
Sep 27th-30th and Oct 01st, 2nd & 4th | Skill Training Programme: Research Methodology: Theory and Techniques |
Dr Martin Patrick, Chief Economist, CPPR Kochi | |
Skill Training Programme: Introduction to Mendeley | |
Dr. Renjith Thomas, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, St Berchmans College Kerala | |
Sep 16 2021 | Induction Programme of the 88th Batch of BA Economics 2021-24 |
Dr Mathew Kurian, Joint Director, K.N. Raj Study Centre for Planning and Centre -State Financial Relations | |
Sep 17 2021 | Groom to Bloom |
Dr Ajith James Jose, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, St Berchmans College Kerala | |
Sep 17 2021 | Methodology of Study |
Rev Fr Tinju Tom, Librarian, Assumption College, Changanassery | |
Sep 05 | Teachers Day Celebrations |
Aug 02 2021 | Invited Lecture and Student Paper Presentations |
Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Economic Growth and Development | |
Dr. Muhammed Najeeb K K, Fellow, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kharagpur | |
Jul 24 2021 | Centenary The Alumni Talk Series 2 |
Sibi Mathews, General Manager RBI Mumbai | |
17 July 2020 | Training Programme in Research Methodology |
Cyril Philip, University of Hyderabad | |
Jul 16 2021 | World Population Day Invited Lecture and Essay writing competition |
World Population Day amid AI and Big Data | |
Dr. Renji George Amballoor, Deputy Director at the Directorate of Higher Education, Govt. of Goa. | |
Jun 24 2021 | Centenary The Alumni Talk Series 1 |
Vinod John, Freelance Journalist, Toronto. | |
Jun 19 2021 | Book Review Competition as part of the National Reading Day 2021 celebrations |
Jun 5 2021 | Plant a Tree Campaign as part of the World Environmental Day 2021 |
May 6, 2021 | Prospects for Economics Graduates |
George Varghese, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, Bengaluru. | |
May 6, 2021 | Prof. C O Abraham Memorial Lecture 2020 |
Prof. R Nagaraj CDS Trivandrum | |
Apr 16, 2021 | Prof. C Z Scaria Memorial Lecture 2020 |
Prof. R Ramkumar, TISS Mumbai | |
Feb 5-12 2021 | One week language development programme: Class on English Through Filims |
Jeeva Theresa Jose, Kristu Jayanti College Bangalore | |
Feb 6 2021 | Glimpses of Union Budget 2021: Will India Be ‘Back On Track’? |
Dr. M P Philip, Head, Department of Economics, Gregorian College of Advanced Studies, Trivandrum | |
Jan 30 2021 | Pre-Budget Discussion 2021 |
Prof. Mathew Kurian, KN Raj Centre for Planning and Development, MG University, Kottayam | |
Jan 25, 2021 | Prof. KK Francis Memorial Lecture 2020 |
Dr. Alex M Thomas Azim Premji University Bengaluru | |
05 Nov 2020 | Indian Agriculture and Agriculture Bill 2020 |
Dr. Shaijumon CS, Associate Professor IIST Thiruvananthapuram | |
Nov 3, 2020 | Student Paper Presentation on Farm Bills |
Prof. Mathew Kurian, KN Raj Centre for Planning and Development, MG University, Kottayam | |
Oct 14 -20, 2020 | Inauguration of the 87th Batch of BA Economics Programme (2020-23) |
KC Johny IRS, Principal Commissioner of GST, Hyderabad | |
Aug 22-26, 2020 | Five-day Online Faculty Development Programme in Behavioural Economics |
Dr. Ashish Kulkarni, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune | |
Junofy Anto Rozarina, University of Zurich, Switzerland. | |
Jul 17, 20, 21 2020 | Workshop on Unethical Practices in academic writing |
Fr Tinju Tom, Librarian, Assumption College Changanasserry | |
Jun 6 2020 | Covid 19 Economic Package: Some Reflections |
Dr. Philip M P, Former Head, Dept. of Economics, St Berchmans College | |
May 30 2020 | The New Normal Economy under the post- COVID 19 era |
Dr. L Venkatachalam, Professor, MIDS, Chennai | |
May 16 2020 | Online Class Rooms: Issues of Equity & Excellence in Higher Education |
Dr Rajan Varughese, Hon. Secretary Kerala State Higher Education Council | |
Feb 20 2020 | Prof. C O Abraham Memorial Lecture |
on Behavioural Economics for Public Policy | |
Prof. L Venkatachalam, Professor, MIDS Chennai | |
Feb 3 2020 | National Seminar on Fifty years of Bank Nationalization: Indian Banking at Crossroads |
Dec 6-7 2019 | Two-day Workshop on SPSS and Data Handling Techniques |
Nov 25 2019 | Women Empowerment Campaign |
On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women | |
Smt. Mruduladevi Sasidharan (Dalit and Gender Activist) | |
Nov 20 2019 | Prof. KK Francis Memorial Lecture 2019 |
on Fiscal Policy and Human Development | |
Prof. Surajit Das CESP JNU | |
Aug 30 2019 | Workshop for Developing socially Relevant pedagogy in Microeconomics |
Aug 29 2019 | Prof. C Z Scaria Memorial Lecture 2019 |
on Status of Indian Education: A Few Disquieting Features | |
Prof. V Santhakumar, Azim Premji University Bangalore | |
1 Aug 3-14 2018 | Two-day Erudite Scholar in Residence Programme 2018 Lecture Series |
and National Seminar on Equity and Sustainability in a Globalized World | |
Prof Nrarashimha Reddy, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad | |
Jul 31- Aug 1 2018 | Erudite Scholar in Residence Programme 2018 Lecture Series |
and National Seminar on Growth Vs Equity: India in the Reform Era | |
Prof Vamsi Vakulabharanam, The University of Massachusetts Amherst |
Prospects for Economics Graduates | George Varghese
Indian Agriculture and Agriculture Bill 2020 | Dr. Shaijumon CS
Introduction to Behavioural Economics | Dr. Ashish Kulkarni
Decision making under uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases | Dr. Ashish Kulkarni
Experimental Economics | Junofy Anto Rozarina
Social preferences | Junofy Anto Rozarina
Behavioural Economics in public policy | Junofy Anto Rozarina
Workshop on Unethical Practices in academic writing | Fr. Tinju Tom