RET syllabus for Ph.D

Scheme for Research Entrance Test (RET) 

The test shall consist of 150 multiple choice questions:

Section I: will consists of 50 multiple choice questions of general nature to test the basic knowledge and research aptitude of the applicants, such as to test their logical and analytical thinking, quantitative ability, language skills, computer awareness, general knowledge etc.

Section II: has two parts: Part A and Part B

Part A: will consists of 50 multiple choice questions, out of which 29 question will be common for all the three disciplines and

Part B: has three options: A, B, C. Each candidate can choose any one of these options. The candidate will have to attempt all the 21 questions from the section she opts for (Question No. 30-50).

Section I

Section II

SYLLABUS

UNIT I - MARKETING AND RETAILING:

• Marketing: Introduction to marketing, overview of marketing process and marketing in modern economy, trends in marketing environment.
• Market research: Understanding Consumer market trend, overview of market research process and research design

• Product Decision- concept of product, clarification of product development, product positioning, segmentation and targeting
• Branding, packaging and labeling                                                                                   
• Price decision - Factor affecting price determination

• Distribution channels, nature and function of distribution channels and physical distribution decision
• Promotion decision- 4Ps of promotion mix

• Meaning of retailing, social and economic significance of retailing, opportunities in retailing, characteristics of retailing, historical perspective of retail in India, types of retailers, service retailing
• Retail Strategy- Meaning and Definition, building sustainable competitive advantage, growth strategies, global growth strategies, retail planning process, retail value chain
• Ethics and social responsibility

UNIT II - QUALITY ASSURANCE:

• -
• Quality: Concept of Quality, managing quality through inspection and testing, seven tools of quality. Inspection: Inspection and its significance. Raw material inspection, In process inspection and Final quality inspection. Fabric faults as related to stages of manufacturing: yarn defects, weaving & knitting defects, dyeing, printing and finishing defects.

• Quality control of textile products,  Quality standards as applicable to various types of textiles (Garments yardage, knits, woven, carpets, processing, dyeing)

• Textile testing: Introduction, precision and accuracy of test methods, atmospheric conditions for testing,

• Fabric Testing: strength, dimensional changes in apparel due to laundering, dry cleaning, steaming pressing and color fastness, drapability & crease recovery.

• Standards: Benefits of standards, Levels of standards, Sources of standards, ISO 9000 Series Standards. Introduction to AATCC, ASTM, ISO, BIS, INDA

• Introduction to eco friendly textiles, banned dyes and eco parameters, environmental impact of Textile Industries

• Care labeling: Importance, terminology, symbols and usage, International care labeling, elementary knowledge of wool mark and silk mark. Laundry aids: soaps, detergents, bleaches, stain removers, whiteness and      stiffening agents, and functions of commercial laundry

UNIT III – ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

• Entrepreneurship: concepts and nature. Entrepreneurial Traits: Leadership, risk taking, decision making, business planning Barriers in Entrepreneurship: Economic and non-economic

• Institutional Support for new ventures:
  • Support organizations-State level –RFC,RIICO,DIC
  • Financial organizations-IFCI, IDBI, SIDBI and other  Banks

• Role of government in Entrepreneurial development: government incentives, subsidy and assistance

• Promotion of a new venture: search for a business idea, preparation of plan, analysis of entrepreneurial opportunities, assessing the impact of opportunities and threats

UNIT IV - Research Methodology & STATISTICS:

• Research : Definition and Concept of research, objectives of research, Types of Research – Descriptive Vs Analytical, Applied Vs Fundamental, Quantitative Vs Qualitative, Conceptual Vs Empirical, Historical, Longitudinal Research, Research Approaches, Significant of Research

• Research Design: Meaning, need and characteristics of good research design. Identification of a research problem, Selection of a research problem, Hypothesis – purpose, characteristics, types and criteria of hypothesis, variables – Meaning and Concept, types of variables.

• Data gathering instruments : Observation, Interview, Questionnaires and schedules, their construction, Techniques of data collection, Scrutiny of data, accuracy of measurements, testing of  Questionnaire

• Scaling Techniques and Sampling : Scaling Techniques, Purpose of Scaling, Techniques of scaling, Types of Scales – Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ration scales.

• Sampling : Meaning of census and sample, characteristics of a good sample, need for sample, type of samples based on Probability and Non-probability simplicity, probability sampling- Idea of simple random sampling, Stratified and Cluster sampling. Non-probability sampling Purposive and Quota sampling.

• Statistics : Meaning, Importance and limitations of Statistics, classification and tabulation of data, discrete and continuous variables, frequency distribution and cumulative frequency distribution, diagrammatic presentation of data – one dimensional and two dimensional, graphical presentation of data – Histogram, Frequency Curve and Ogives, Measures of Central Tendency – Mean, mode and median their merits and demerits. Measures of Dispersion –Range, Quartile, Deviation, Mean Deviation and standard deviation, coefficient of variation. Moments, skewness and Kurtosis (their absolute and relative measures).   

OPTIONAL PAPERS: TEXTILES 

UNIT V – UNDERSTANDING TEXTILES:

• Chemistry of polymers- Polymerisation, types, degree & characteristics
• Structure of textile fibres- general, molecular bonding, length, orientation, and requirements of fibre forming substances.
• Microscopic structure, manufacturing process and properties of the following fibres - repeating units, bonds, reactive  groups and  reactions of cotton, viscose rayon, silk, wool, linen, polyester,  acrylic, spandex and minor fibres; action of heat, light, bleach and microorganisms on different fibres; commercial processes of fibres. 
• Basic principles of yarn making, Types of Yarn – simple, and novelty, Yarn numbering system and Yarn twist, Yarn Manufacturing – Mechanical and chemical spinning, Yarn properties and sewing threads.
• Weaving- terminology, parts of loom, motions and basic weaves.
• Knitting-  warp & weft knits, knitting machines
• Other fabric production methods - felting, bonding, knotting, braiding and lacing

 UNIT VI - TEXTILE COLOURATION:

• Color : Concept of color and its relation to light; classification and its types of   dyes/coloring matter
• Eco-friendly natural dyes and role of mordants

• Chemistry of dyes and  composition,  structure, properties, affinity towards fibers, method of application, fixing, after treatments and fastness properties
• Mechanism of dyeing : adsorption, absorption, fixation
• Dyeing auxiliaries : Wetting agents, electrolytes, solvents, dispersing agents, oxidizing and reducing agents, cationic fixing agents, sequestering discharging agents, Thickening agents -  natural, modified and synthetic
• Dyeing machines used for fibers, yarn, fabric and garments
• Styles of printing : Direct style, resist or reserve style, discharge style

• Methods of printing : block, roller, screen (flat bed, rotary), transfer and latest methods of printing
• After treatment of printed goods

UNIT VII – TEXTILE FINISHING:

• Cellulosic : Desizing, Singeing, Sourcing, Bleaching

• Protein : Degumming, Scouring, Bleaching, Milling
• Man made : Scouring, Bleaching, Heat setting
• Finishing – An overview, chemistry, method of application and evaluation of softening and stiffening finishes
• Types of finishes : Chemical, Mechanical finishes and functional finishes
• Mechanical finishes : Singeing, Anti static, flocking, napping, decating, creping, crabbing, calendaring, speaking/burling, coating and laminating
• Chemical finishes: water resistant, mercerization, water proofing, flame retardant, abrasion-resistant, ammoniating, bleaching, carbonizing, moth proofing, soil and stain resistant, wrinkle resistant, enzymatic finishes, setting finishes (cellulosic, wool and man-made), optical brightening agents, peach finishes, softness, anti microbial finishes, UV protective finishes
• Functional finishes

OPTIONAL PAPERS: Garment Production & Export Management

UNIT V – Merchandising

• Fundamentals of merchandising, responsibilities of the merchandiser, merchandise planning: target markets, market segmentations and marketing research

• Planning and Controlling and control tools: marketing calendar, merchandise calendar, sales forecast. Execution: Line development:  elements, planning, control, research, line plan, styling direction and product development and adoption. Pricing: pricing strategies, objectives, pricing formula. Costing principles and strategies

• Sourcing strategies: objectives, global sourcing, the role of merchandiser in sourcing, sourcing options, factors in sourcing options, factors in sourcing decision, customer/vendor relationship, Domestic and International sourcing process   

•  Visual Merchandising: Elements and functions of Visual Merchandising. Store exteriors, interiors& windows – image, atmosphere & theaters. Display props, fixtures, mannequins, floral, signage & graphics.

UNIT VI - Apparel Production Technology

• Spreading and cutting, Marker types and calculations, spreading process and spreading equipments, types of cutting machines, ticketing and bundling

• Components of sewing : Threads, needles, machinery and equipments for sewing

• Use of components and trims: Label and motifs, Linings and interlinings, wadding, lace, braids and elastic, hook & loop fastenings, seam binding and tape, shoulder pads, eyelets & laces, zip fasteners, buttons, tack buttons, snap fasteners, Performance properties of components & trims

• Post Production Machinery and Processes, Machines – bar tack, button, button holes, Garment finishing – stain removal, dry cleaning, cleaning and pressing, types of packages, Types of materials used for packing.  Production system types : making through, Section or process system, progressive bundle system, straight line or synchro system, salient features, specific uses

• CAD/CAM  for Apparel products, introduction to concept of CAD/CAM in garment manufacturing, complete pattern design system, preparation for grading, marker and pattern making, introduction to computer controlled machinery for garment manufacturing, 3D scanning technology, development of Robotic for CAM, RFID – Radio Frequency Identification

UNIT VII - PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT

• Management- Concept, Meaning, Nature and Importance
• Principles of Management :Detailed study of Principles of Management-Henry Fayol’s and F. W. Taylor’s
• Planning- Definition, Importance, Types of plans, Planning Process, Management by Objectives
• Organization- Concept, Nature ,various forms of organizations
• Directing- Meaning, Importance, Process and Supervision
• Motivation- Meaning, Types ,Theories of Motivation- Maslow’s, McGregor theory, Hertzberg
• Leadership: Definition, Importance, Functions of Leader, types of leadership styles
• Controlling-Meaning, importance, process, technique
• Communication-meaning, channels, barriers

·Human Resource management-a brief study of Recruitment, Selection, Training, Human resource planning

OPTIONAL PAPERS: FASHION TECHNOLOGY

UNIT V – Merchandising

• Fundamentals of merchandising, responsibilities of the merchandiser, merchandise planning: target markets, market segmentations and marketing research

• Planning and Controlling and control tools: marketing calendar, merchandise calendar, sales forecast. Execution: Line development:  elements, planning, control, research, line plan, styling direction and product development and adoption. Pricing: pricing strategies, objectives, pricing formula. Costing principles and strategies

• Introduction to Standardization and Quality control in apparel industry. Importance of consumer perception of apparel quality. Managing apparel quality through inspection and sampling procedures.

• Sourcing strategies: objectives, global sourcing, the role of merchandiser in sourcing, sourcing options, factors in sourcing options, factors in sourcing decision, customer/vendor relationship, Domestic and International sourcing process   

• Visual Merchandising : Elements and functions of Visual Merchandising. Store exteriors, interiors& windows – image, atmosphere & theaters. Display props, fixtures, mannequins, floral, signage & graphics

UNIT VI - Apparel Construction Techniques

• Locating Land marks: Taking Body Measurements for: men, women & children. Methods of pattern making: Drafting, flat pattern and draping

• Fabric preparation-preshrinking, straightening, trueing. Pattern layout and cutting-open, half fold, partial fold, matching stripes, plaids and checks. Handling special fabrics while cutting and stitching (lace, velvet, chiffon). Supporting Fabrics: lining, underlining, interlining and interfacing.

• Seam properties, seam types, stitch types, sewing machine feed mechanisms. Sewing machine needles and threads, sewing problems and its remedies. Elementary knowledge of machinery for seaming  knitted garments

• Identifying the components of apparel for –fabric, shaping devices, underlying    
  fabrics, pockets, neckline treatments, sleeve treatments, waistline treatments,  closures, hem treatments & decorative details, Standards for evaluating the various components

• Fitting: Definition & tools used in  fitting room, Factors to be considered while fitting, Common Fitting problems and their remedies

UNIT VII - Fashion Dynamics

• Origin of Fashion, Fashion terminology, Various fashion centers :- France, Italy, England, Tokyo and US

• Elements of design, basics principles of designs, sources of inspiration and design sources – media, history, theatre and films. Role of Designer: Forecasting trends, theme interpretation, fashion forecasting

• Components of fashion: Theories of fashion, Design development – seasons,  elements and principles of designs and their relationship in the finish product.

• Fashion cycle: Factors affecting fashion trends, fashion leaders and followers

• Strengths of Indian fashion Industry, Fashion Designer with special reference to India

• Role of CAD/CAM in Fashion Industry