History
The Department of Political Science at the then Marathwada University was established in 1962, in response to a strong demand from students across the Marathwada region for postgraduate education in the field. Dr. G. N. Sharma, a distinguished scholar with a profound understanding of the subject, was appointed as the first Head of the Department in 1963. Under his leadership, the department experienced significant growth and development, charting a path of exemplary academic progress.
Notably, the first batch of M.A. Political Science students graduated in 1964, which included late Prof. Moin Shakir and late Prof. B. L. Bholey, both of whom later became distinguished figures in their own right. The Department held its first M.A. Part-I examination in May 1963, with 22 students appearing, of which three secured first-class honors. Soon after, the Department introduced a Ph.D. program, with S. A. Bari, R. Jayaram, R. S. Morkhandikar, and Gopal Krishnan being the first four candidates to enroll for doctoral studies.
The Department continued to expand and meet the needs of students and educators throughout the region. In 1970, the faculty welcomed Prof. Moin Shakir, an eminent scholar whose intellectual rigor earned him the prestigious title of National Professor (ICSSR, New Delhi) at the young age of 38, highlighting his extraordinary academic contributions.
As the discipline of Political Science evolved, so did the Department, with new faculty members contributing to its growing academic reputation. Among the prominent scholars to join were Dr. Adi, Dr. P. M. Bora, Dr. A. Y. Darshankar, Dr. J. R. Shinde, Dr. A. B. Sawant, Dr. H. A. Gani, Dr. B. S. Waghmare, Dr. S. N. Datye, Dr. S. S. Nikam, and Dr. K. Y. Daud. Their collective efforts helped shape generations of exceptional students.
Currently, the Department is strengthened by the addition of two professors in 2009: Dr. K.S. Shakir (head) and Dr. Prashant Amrutkar, supported by three assistant professors, who continue to uphold the Department’s legacy of academic excellence.