The academic rationale for PhD programme stems from the opportunity it will provide for advanced education within the interdisciplinary discipline of child development. It will of relevance to the professionals and students from the fields of Child Development, Human Development and Family Studies, and allied disciplines and fields of Early Childhood Development, Early Language and literacy, Guidance and counselling, Special Education, Disability Studies, Psychology and Sociology. Further the research component of the programme will contribute towards generation of fundamental and applied knowledge in the field of Child Development which would be particularly meaningful and relevant in the indigenous context.