The primary challenge of modern human race is to improve well-being across generations  an objective now widely recognized as Sustainable Development. This challenge necessitates numerous interventions with respect to each of its components: environmental, social and economic. These range from eradication of hunger and poverty to reduction of inequality; from provision of quality education, good health, decent work environment, water, sanitation, affordable and clean energy to fostering gender equality; from economic growth to effective institutions; from responsible consumption and production to taking urgent actions to combat climate change.

It is widely recognized that informed prescriptions, implementable policies and sustainable practices are vital for securing economic growth, social cohesion and protection of ecosystems--all at the same time. The Department of Policy Studies (DoPS) at TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS) aims to contribute to theoretical and empirical enquiry towards such ends, through research, teaching and training.

Faculty of the Department have disciplinary backgrounds in Anthropology, Economics, Population Studies, Sociology and Statistics. This diversity enables promotion of multi-disciplinary research and learning at the economy-society-ecology interface. The faculty is engaged in active research in their own disciplines as well as within the broad theme of sustainable development. This is reflected in the body of their publications, sponsored projects, consultancies and training programmes and supervised research. The faculty regularly engage with the scientific community through seminars and conferences, participate in different forums as experts or resource persons, and engage with the general public through lectures, print and digital media.

The department offers four programmes:

A Ph.D. programme in the Thematic area of Policy Studies, three Masters level programmes, viz., M.A. in Public Policy and Sustainable Development, M.A. in Sustainable Development Practices, M.Sc. in Economics (with specialization in Environmental and Resource Economics)