Department of Defence & Strategic Studies

The University of Allahabad took the lead in introducing Defence Studies as a subject in 1940 at the initiative of Dr. A.N. Jha, the then Vice-Chancellor. The department started teaching the subject at postgraduate and research level in 1965. The courses in Defence Studies at this University were drafted and improved from time to time in consultation with Prof. Michael Howard of All Souls College, Oxford, England; Prof. N. Gibbs, distinguished Professor of Military History, Oxford, England; Prof. Headley Bull of Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Prof. L.W. Martin of Kings College, London; Prof. Sisir Gupta, Prof. M.S. Agwani, Prof. M.S. Venkatramani besides distinguished scholars of Psychology, Economics, International Relations, International Law, Mathematics, Physics and Operational Research and experts from the United Services Institute, National Defence College and Ministry of Defence. Prof. R.B. Singh who was educated at Allahabad and joined the Department in 1971 and is an expert in Military History and Legal Aspects of International Security is presently heading the Department. The other members of the faculty include economists, historians, political scientists and area specialists.

At the initiative of the Department, in order to provide a national forum for the promotion and integrated development of Defence and Strategic Studies, the National Congress for Defence Studies, an academic organisation of national level in the field of Defence and Strategic Studies, was created in 1980 with its headquarters at the University of Allahabad. The Department has made a niche for itself in a short time. The sixth visiting committee of the U.G.C. had observed that "this department has all the potential for development and deserves consideration in the special assistance programme." During the Seventh Plan, the U.G.C. review committee had decided to consider upgrading the department as the Center of Excellence in Strategic Studies. The Department has organised teaching, research, publication and public education in an excellent manner.