Education is the most astonishing factor in every existing society. Every nation aspires to progress with the greatest strength i.e. knowledge. The activity of imparting the tools of learning such as information, idea, skill and fact has become ‘a must’ for every nation. The academia of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly University of Pune) recognized the need of learning and studying the strength of the nation, hence the subject of ‘Defence and Strategic Studies’ came into eminence.

Since the inception of the Department, the journey has been of a profound experience in the fields of teaching and research. Today, this experience has built the department to acclaim, with all its sincere and humble achievements.

The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies provides a platform to learn and study National Security to students from various disciplines and professionals. Frequently, the Department also conducts guest lectures, seminars and conferences where-in experts of national and international acclaim are invited as speakers. Conduct of such thought-provoking activities tweaks the young inquiring minds of the students & researchers to think and develop an innovative approach – which could also be ‘out of the box’. While doing so, the Department holds on to the vision of the university i.e. “to provide an academically conducive environment” with a global audience, as shared by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Nitin R. Karmalkar.

Brief Highlights about the Department:

The Department was established in the year 1963. Initially, it was known as the Department of Military Studies, and then renamed as the Department of Defence Studies, in 1984 the Department came to be known as the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies; since then true to the name, the horizon and scope of studies have expanded covering a wide canvas of varied subjects. The department offers M.A./M.Sc., P.G. Diploma, M.Phil. and PhD courses. The department has close linkages with the Indian Armed Forces and runs several programmes such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Chair in Policy Studies, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Chair, Residence Scholar Programme (RSP), Master degree programme, the General B. C. Joshi Memorial Lecture and Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Lecture which is conducted every year. The Department also has a think tank-Yashwantrao Chavan National Centre of International Security and Defence Analysis (YC-NISDA) which is funded by the University Grant Commission (UGC). YC-NISDA is the first National Centre as an integral part of a university department all Indian University. Both the Department and YC-NISDA provide a very good source of information by making available latest published books and other research material related to the various affiliated subjects.

There is a vibrant scope for the department as it has initiated collaborations with various national and international universities, think-tanks, etc. to enrich the knowledge of the students and researchers. The department has already launched a quarterly journal namely, “International Journal for Social Sciences Research and Global Security” in collaboration with YC-NISDA and Strategic Culture and Security Foundation, Pune. From the academic year 2018-19, the Department has introduced three Post Graduate diploma courses namely, Disaster Management and National Security, Counter-Terrorism Studies and Defence Analyst and National security. From the academic year 2020-21, the Department is introducing M.A./M.Sc. Five Year Integrated Course in Defence and Strategic Studies, M.A. in Global Peace, Security and Strategic Studies and also six Post Graduate diploma courses namely, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Vision & Nation Building, Middle East and South Asian Security, African Peace & Security, CBRN (Chemical, Biological,  Radiological, Nuclear) & National Security, European Peace and Security, Cyber Security and India’s National Security. With respect to the dedication, performance & contribution to the academic, the department has received “The Best Department Award” by Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2019.

These endeavours will go a long way in achieving our goal of building the department as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in the field of National Security Studies at regional and ultimately global level.

Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Khare

(Fulbright Scholar)

HOD - Department of Defence & Strategic Studies