An Introduction to Microeconomics

Theory from consumers to market structures

This 12-week NPTEL course from IIT Kanpur, taught by Prof. Vimal Kumar, lays out consumer theory, producer theory and the market structures in which firms and individuals interact. The core idea is that economic agents pursue clear goals and respond to the incentives around them, which gives the course a unified logic.

Who it suits

Undergraduate economics students are the core audience, and professionals from other streams who want a grounded introduction will also find it useful. Prerequisites are set at Class 12 level maths, so no advanced background is needed.

• Work through the consumer theory unit with a pencil, since the logic builds on each step.
• Use the market structure material to explain why firms in one sector behave differently from another.

Banking professionals may find the applications especially relevant, given the course's stated industry support.