1. When was the M.Sc./M.A. Programme first launched in TISS?
In September 2007.

2. What is the significance of this programme?
Since its inception in 1936, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences
(TISS) has worked for the promotion of sustainable, equitable
and participatory development, social welfare and social justice.
Working closely in its various initiatives with government bodies,
academic institutions, NGOs, activist groups, bilateral and
multilateral agencies, the media and communities, the TISS
community has been involved in disaster-related interventions
for nearly six decades.
Disaster Management is emerging globally as a full-fledged
academic discipline. Since disaster response has primarily been
a practitioner's domain, its boundaries have been permeable.
People from diverse backgrounds – including relief workers,
engineers, social scientists, or medical professionals – have worked in disaster management. This has facilitated the growth of disaster management as a substantive field. However, as a field of practice, it demands specialization to meet with the dynamic challenges posed by disasters. The average number of disasters per year has grown exponentially since the decade of 1990s. The biggest rise is seen in countries with low human development. One-fourth of disaster-related deaths in Asia occur in India. The country also has the second highest figure for disaster affected people in the world, a reflection of the high levels of vulnerability of the populace. Disaster response in India has been debilitated by several factors, including mismanagement, duplication, exclusion of affected communities and weak policies. This is partly due to the dearth of trained personnel – professionals equipped to deal with a variety of hazards, and to plan and implement a holistic disaster management programme. The JTCDM believes that enhancing disaster studies with a critical and multidisciplinary perspective will enrich policy and practice processes.
The Master's programme in Disaster Management, offered by the Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management, aims at enhancing knowledge, capacities and skills, and perspective on disasters. While enabling an understanding of disasters from the vantage point of science and technology in prediction, mitigation and response, the programme will also foster a critical and reflective appreciation of current debates in disaster management within the framework of social and environmental justice, state and civil society dynamics, development, conflict and displacement, and globalization.

3. What is the scope of this programme?
The Master's programme is designed to include thematic and issue -based courses related to aspects such as the relationship between environment, livelihood and disasters, institutional building and governance, inequalities and social exclusion, local knowledge systems and disaster management. The course also endeavours to cultivate appropriate values, a strong multidisciplinary knowledge base and skills essential for intervention in disasters and their prevention. Students will develop expertise in select areas such as logistics and supply chain management, public health, GIS, peace, conflict and human security and so on.

4. What are the minimum qualifications required to apply for the programme?
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline. People with Masters' and with relevant work experience are preferred.

5. What is the duration of the course?
2 years

6. What is the total cost of the course?
With Hostel facility Rs. 2,24,888/-
Without Hostel facility Rs. 1,84,488/-

7. What is the starting salary one can expect?
The salary would depend on the choices that the person makes after completing the course and the experience he/she has. It could range from Rs. 15,000 to 50,000 per month depending on whether one joins an NGO or an International Organization.

8. Does the course have collaborations or tie-ups with other national or
international Institutes or Universities?
The Centre has initiated a number of collaborative initiatives with international Universities such as Disaster Research Centre at the University of Delaware, USA. Meritorious students will have the opportunity to go on 8 weeks internships at some of these organizations. Faculty members from national institutes of repute are invited as resource persons and guest faculty.

9. What are the kind of job prospects for students of this programme? Where can they get placements?
As an emerging field, the need for qualified personnel within disaster management is high. Students who graduate with this degree will find opportunities in the development sector with government and non-government organizations, with consultancy firms, international aid organizations or could go on to pursuing research, training and teaching careers.

10. What are the unique features of the course that is launched?
The unique features of the course are as follows:

• Focuses on people-centered disaster management.
• Aimed at mid-career professionals.
• Emphasis on appropriate technology.
• One year of intensive contact classes with field exposure and internships.
• Options to work off-campus in distance education mode during the second year.
• Research as a compulsory component.
• Designed in a multi-entry, multi-exit mode providing options for the students to secure a Certificate/Diploma or Masters in Disaster Management.
• Tie up with international institutes of excellence facilitating student and faculty exchange programmes.

Spread over four semester, this Masters' programme is a pioneering initiative within the country and has several features which will enable mid-career professionals to combine their work with study. It has one year of intensive contact classes with field exposure and internship. Research is a compulsory component of the programme. In the second year, students have the option to work off campus with very limited course work. The programme however, will follow a pre-determined calendar. It also offers multi-level entry-exit option where a student coming for a semester can obtain a Certificate in Disaster Management on completion of the stipulated requirements. Students who wish to continue through with the next semester would obtain a Diploma. Alternately, a student on completion of the Certificate programme could come back after a break (not exceeding five years from the date of completion of the Certificate programme), and join in for the second semester. In order to obtain the Masters' degree a student can complete the four semesters without a break or in an incremental manner after completing the credits required for a diploma.