About Department
The Department of Political Science is dedicated to fostering a culture of higher learning and research among the students of Marathwada—a region that includes some of the most economically disadvantaged districts in the country. Established in 1962 at the then Marathwada University, the department has been distinguished from the start by its academically accomplished and socially committed faculty. Esteemed scholars such as Professor G. N. Sarma, Prof. Adi Doctor, Prof. R. T. Jangam, Prof. Moin Shakir, Prof. J. R. Shinde, and Prof. P. M. Bora set a high standard of academic rigor and research excellence for students to aspire to. The succeeding generations of faculty have continued this legacy, striving not only to instil a commitment to academic excellence but also to impart values of humanity. They emphasize that true success lies not only in acquiring classroom knowledge but in cultivating a vision that prepares students for the broader challenges of life beyond the campus.
The Department offers M.A., Ph.D., and a diploma course in Parliamentary Studies. programs, enrolling approximately 100 students each year. In recent years, the discipline of Political Science has undergone significant shifts, broadening its scope of inquiry. Reflecting this evolution, the Department has reshaped its approach by incorporating an interdisciplinary focus into its core subjects, such as Political Theory, Philosophy, and Foreign Policy. It also actively promotes research in emerging fields like Dalit politics, subaltern studies, and minority issues. As a result, the faculty has undertaken impactful research projects, including studies on the Political Socialization of Tribal Leadership, Exploring Inclusion and Exclusion in the Gram Panchayats of Marathwada, and the Differential Impact of Affirmative Action, among others.
The Department regularly conducts seminars and workshops and is highly regarded for organizing the Moin Shakir Memorial Lecture Series, which has been held annually since 1989. This distinguished lecture series has hosted internationally renowned scholars such as Prof. Randhir Singh, Prof. Ejaz Ahmed, Prof. Prabhat Patnaik, Prof. Manoranjan Mohanty, Prof. Mushirul Hasan, and many others, who have visited the Department to share their expertise.
Additionally, the Department played a key role in a collaborative effort with the departments of Economics and Sociology to establish the UGC-funded Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Areas (CPEPA). This centre aimed at promoting integrative research and organizes seminars, conferences, and workshops with a special focus on addressing the various dimensions of backwardness that impact rural Marathwada.