BECM-161 IGNOU Handwritten Assignment 2026-27

Course Scope & Syllabus Overview for BECM-161: Principles of Microeconomics

BECM-161: Principles of Microeconomics is a core course under the IGNOU Bachelor of Arts (BAM) programme, designed to equip students with foundational knowledge of individual economic decision-making and market interactions. This course explores core concepts such as consumer behaviour, production theory, cost analysis, and market structures, aligned with the IGNOU CBCS curriculum. Through rigorous analysis of supply, demand, and equilibrium, students develop critical thinking skills to evaluate economic policies and market inefficiencies. The study material is structured to balance theoretical frameworks with practical applications, ensuring students grasp both the theoretical underpinnings and real-world relevance of microeconomic principles.

Key Syllabus Units & Topics

• Block-1 Introduction: This block introduces fundamental economic principles, including the scope and methodology of microeconomics, the economic problem, and the role of markets in resource allocation. Students examine the assumptions of economic analysis and the distinction between microeconomics and macroeconomics.
• Block-2 Theory of Consumer Behaviour: Here, students delve into the theory of demand, exploring how consumers make rational choices under constraints. Key topics include indifference curves, budget constraints, and the concept of utility maximisation, providing insights into consumer preferences and market demand.
• Block-3 Production and Costs: This block focuses on the theory of production, covering short-run and long-run production functions, returns to scale, and cost minimisation. Students analyse how firms determine optimal input combinations and understand the relationship between fixed, variable, and average costs.
• Block-4 Market Structure and Market Failure: This unit examines different market structures—perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly—while highlighting their implications for pricing, output, and efficiency. It also addresses market failures, including externalities and public goods, and evaluates government intervention strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for the BECM-161 assignment, and how many marks are allocated to each question?
A: The BECM-161 assignment typically carries 30 marks, distributed across a mix of short-answer and long-answer questions. The exact weightage varies per question, but students should refer to the official assignment question paper for precise details on marks allocation.

Q: What are the minimum pass marks required for BECM-161, and how is the final grade calculated?
A: The minimum pass marks for BECM-161 are 40% in the theory examination, which carries 100 marks. The final grade is calculated based solely on the examination result, as assignments contribute to continuous evaluation but do not affect the final grade directly.

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