The department was established in 1960 along with the College's inception. The department today offers Undergraduate (B.A.) and Doctoral programme (Ph.D.). A solid foundation was laid down by renowned Political Scientist Principal Dr. Ram Joshi, who later rose to the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Bombay. This glorious legacy was further carried on by some of the finest academicians, namely Prof. P.M. Kamath, Prof. Marina Pinto, Dr. Maneesha Tikekar, F.A. Mechery, and Prof. Sudha Mohan.
The department remains dedicated to the vision of academic excellence and holistic student development. It aims to develop sensitive, aware, and participative citizens of India. The faculty members are persistently engaged in teaching and research. They are associated with various renowned institutions in India and are regularly invited to participate in seminars and conferences.
To nurture young minds, the department has undertaken a mentoring programme. The department provides students with experiential learning opportunities by organising field visits across Maharashtra. The department has developed crucial links with think tanks, and public policy nonprofit organisations, opening platforms for students to pursue internships and projects. The college received autonomous status in 2018 and since then the department has continually updated and designed the syllabus to make it relevant based on inputs from the members of the Board of Studies.
Programmes Offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Ph.D. in Politics
Total no. of seats allotted for PhD programme: 12
Students currently enrolled for PhD programme – 03
Board of Studies (BOS)
(1) VC Nominee Dr. Prashant Kelkar Associate Professor & Head, Department of Political Science CHM College, Ulhasnagar, Thane
(2) Subject Experts (from other university) Prof. Dr. Manisha Madhava Professor & Head, Department of Political Science SNDTWU, Mumbai
(3) Dr. Chaitra Redkar Associate Professor, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune
(4) Industry Expert Mr. Mayuresh Ganapatye News Editor Network18 Media & Investment Ltd.
(5) Meritorious Alumnus Dr. Akshata Desai Assistant Professor, Department of Law SVKM’s NMIMS, Mumbai
Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
(1) Prof. Dr. Deepak Pawar Professor & Head, Department of Civics & Politics, University of Mumbai
(2) Prof. Dr. Manisha Madhava Professor & Head, Department of Political Science, SNDTWU
National Voters' Day
25th January 2023, Politics Department
Jointly organised a voters' awareness rally with the NSS unit of the college on the occasion of National Voters' Day, 25th January 2023.
Workshop -Project 1916 Urban Sanitation Survey
16th December 2022, Politics Department
Organised a workshop with Praja Foundation on Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai's (MCGM) Central Complaint Registration System (1916 project), 16th December 2022.
Exploring Career Opportunities in Social Sector
1st December 2022, Politics Department
The seminar was organised with an aim to equip students with latest knowledge and opportunities in social sector and help them liaison with professionals in the social sector to know more skills essential for carving out successful careers in the field.
Voters' Registration Drive
29th November 2022, Politics Department
Facilitated a Voter Registration Drive for students in college under the auspices of the Election Commission's nodal officers at Tehsildar office, 29th November 2022.
Workshop on “Understanding the Basics of Political Reporting”
28th February 2022, Politics Department
Organised on 28th February 2022. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Mayuresh Ganapatye, TV journalist and Mumbai News Bureau Head, TV9 Bharatvarsh. Mr. Ganapatye shared his insights on skills and practice required for political reporting.
Epidemics To Pandemic: Challenges Met And Learnt
18th November 2021, Politics Department
National Webinar on “Epidemics to Pandemic: Challenges Met and Lessons Learnt” on 18th-19th November 2021 alongwith the Department of History in association with Dr. B.R Ambedkar University of Social Sciences (BRAUSS), Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
Webinar on “Understanding Right to Information in the context of
7th October 2021, Politics Department
Webinar on “Understanding Right to Information in the context of Good Governance” in association with the Praja Foundation was delivered by Mr. Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner and a prominent RTI activist. Mr. Gandhi discussed the significance and problems in implementation of RTI in India.
Webinar on “Understanding Urban Governance : A Case of
29th September 2021, Politics Department
The Department of Politics in association with the Praja Foundation organised a National Webinar on “Understanding Urban Governance : A Case of Mumbai”. The webinar was delivered by Aviral Narayan Dubey, Project Officer at Praja Foundation.
Culture and India's Neighbourhood Policy
6th August 2021, Politics Department
The Politics Association in collaboration with the Value Lab Association organised a webinar on “Civilizational & Cultural influences on India's Neighbourhood Policy” on 6th August 2021. The webinar was delivered by Dr. Nanda Kishor, Associate Professor, Department of Geopolitics & International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Learning (MAHE).
A Talk on ‘Citizen Administration Interface -A Case of Khaana Ch
5th September 2020, Politics Department
Ms. Mithila Naik-Satam, a volunteer engaged with fundraising, partnership implementations at NGO Khana Chahiye Foundation conducted an online session followed by a Q&A session. Ms. Naik-Satam shared her experiences working at the Foundation and dealing with government authorities. She focused on cooperative and collaborative instances of her work.
‘Towards Better Governance’
4th March 2020, Politics Department
‘Towards Better Governance’ where students of SYBA (Politics) made presentations based on local surveys and assessment of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai’s (MCGM) Central Complaints Registration System (1912). This was a collaborative effort with Praja Foundation.
Visit to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
26th February 2020, Politics Department
Organized a visit to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the students of FY, SY and TYBA on 26th February 2020. Department faculties Dr. Vanita Banjan and Mr. Ajinkya Gaikwad facilitated this visit.
On-Day Interdisciplinary Workshop on Research Methodology
27th January 2020, Politics Department
Departments of English, Philosophy & Politics jointly organised a workshop on Research Methodology covering aspects of qualitative and quantitative methods of research in social sciences.
Field Visit/ Study Tour
17th November 2019, Politics Department
Organised a study tour of TYBA Politics students at Raigad, Dapoli and Mangaon on 14th-17th November 2019.
The tour included:
Visit to the Raigad Fort
Visit and stay at Loksadhana Project (run by Dr.Raja Dandekar and Renu Dandekar working for Child Education and local employability) in Dapoli
Visit to AAKAR Pot Art in Indapur
Field Visit
11th July 2019, Politics Department
Dr. Rashmi Bhure organized a field visit to the National Museum of Indian Cinema for TYBA (Politics) students
Developing Research Skills in Social Sciences
28th March 2019, Politics Department
Workshop under UGC Grants on “Developing Research Skills in Social Science” for academics, faculty and students.
Alumni Interaction
11th February 2019, Politics Department
Department alumnus Dr.Rashmini Koparkar (PhD, JNU) delivered a talk on “Opportunities and Avenues in Higher Education”
Certificate Course in Food History & Culture in India
2nd February 2019, Politics Department
A Certificate Course on ‘Food History and Culture in India’ acquianting students with culinary history of India. The course was organised jointly with Department of History from 2nd-28th February, 2019 under UGC Grants.
TYBA. Politics Industrial Visit (Baramati, Pune)
22nd September 2018, Politics Department
A field visit to Baramati Krushi Vigyan Kendra, Baramati, Pune for the TYBA students acquainting them to the changing political economy of Maharashtra on 22nd-24th September, 2018.
Nature Trail to SGNP
1st August 2018, Politics Department
Nature Trail to Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves for students of SYBA studying Applied Component Paper of Travel and Tourism Management on 1st August, 2018. Dr. Aditya Akerkar (Department of Zoology) guided the trail.
Praja Foundation's Orientation Programme
30th July 2018, Politics Department
Praja Foundation is a non-partisan organisation working towards accountable governance. This programme was organized to orient students towards Praja's initiatives and especially its Fellowship Programme to assist Municipal Councillors in creating good governance.
Interdisciplinary Research Meet
17th February 2018, Politics Department
The meet aimed to provide research scholars an interactive platform to present their PhD works and arguments.
ISR Activity on 'Road Safety Awareness'
30th January 2018, Politics Department
The Department collaborated with the Departments of Hindi, History and Philosophy to undertake an initiative on Road Safety Awareness. As part of the activity, students and faculty conducted a march in the vicinity of the college, holding placards with awareness messages. During the march, we visited school authorities and distributed paintings and information boards on road safety.
Digilocker Orientation Workshop
23rd December 2017, Politics Department
Mr. Vijaykumar Katti, Director, VESAC (India) guided the students and the faculty on using Digilockers to save and document critical data/ documents and records.
Guest talk on 'Carving a career in advocacy and policy-making'
13th September 2017, Politics Department
As part of the Alumni Interaction Program', Ms. Vincy Abraham delivered a guest talk on 'Carving a career in advocacy and policy-making'. Ms. Abraham is a policy analyst and researcher who is set to join Environment and Development Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific
Study Tour to Gandhi Teerth and Jain Irrigtaion
3rd September 2017, Politics Department
A study tour was conducted between 3-6 September 2017 for the TYBA students from the Departments of Politics, Philosophy, History and Economics.
Documetary : Understanding Government- The Legislative Branch
21st July 2017, Politics Department
Dr. Rashmi Bhure organized a visit to the US Consulate for a documentary screening "Understanding Government- The Legislative Branch" followed by a discussion.
'Career Opportunities in Law'
5th July 2017, Politics Department
A guest lecture was delivered by department alumnus Adv. Akshaya Desai, Assistant Professor of Law, Amity University on 'Career Opportunities in Law'
Godrej Culture Lab Internship Introduction Program
4th July 2017, Politics Department
Mr. Parmesh Sahni from Godrej Culture Lab convened a session on Godrej Culture Lab Internship Program
Visit to the Samyukta Maharashtra Museum (Shivaji Park, Dadar)
24th June 2017, Politics Department
Students of TYBA have a compulsory course "Political Process in Maharashtra". In order to acquaint them to the history of the making of the state of Maharashtra the museum.
National Seminar on "Changing Contours of Kashmir Conflict"
23rd February 2017, Politics Department
The one-day national seminar focused on the fast-changing contours of conflict in Kashmir and on strategies to deal with tumultuous situations in the valley.
Visit to American Library (Dosti House), Mumbai
9th February 2017, Politics Department
Students of TYBA (Politics) attended a documentary screening of The March organized by the American Library, Mumbai which was followed by an interactive discussion on civil rights movement in the U.S.
Human Security in India: Issues, Challenges & Responses
25th November 2016, Politics Department
ICSSR Sponsored Two-Day National Seminar on Human Security in India: Issues, Challenges & Responses on 25th-26th November 2016. The Seminar was an attempt to focus on the most critical areas of non-traditional security. The Seminar was a judicious mix of theory-building, conceptual arrangements and expositions on human security along with some interesting case studies across domains of energy security, water security among other important themes.
Visit to Ralegan Siddhi and Hiware Bazaar in Ahmednagar district
12th September 2016, Politics Department
Conducted field visits for the TYBA (Politics) to Ralegan Siddhi and Hiware Bazaar in Ahmednagar district on 12th-13th September 2016. The purpose of the visit was to acquaint students to the alternative models of development in Maharashtra.
Book Exhibition on Travel & Tourism
2nd August 2016, Politics Department
Organized a Book Exhibition on Travel & Tourism in the college Reading hall.
Judicial Activism and Human Rights Discourse in India
22nd July 2016, Politics Department
A guest lecture delivered by Mr.Yogesh Kamdar, Senior Human Rights Activist & ?Head, Journalism & Mass Communication - Xavier Institute of Communications
Talk on My Years in JNU
16th July 2016, Politics Department
A talk delivered by Dr. Rashmini Koparkar, Research Associate at the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), New Delhi sharing her experiences as a student in JNU.
A Talk on "US Presidential Elections 2016"
10th June 2016, Politics Department
The Department in association with the US Consulate, Mumbai organized guest lectures on US Presidential Elections 2016 by Joyce Peppin (House of Representatives, Minnesota) and Jeff Morris (House of Representatives, Washington)
India-Russia Relations
28th January 2016, Politics Department
Talk by Rashmini Koparkar, Ph.D Scholar, JNU, Delhi
Preparing for Civil Services
27th November 2015, Politics Department
Talk by Minal Mapuskar, Assistant Professor, Kirti College, Dadar, Mumbai
Constitution Day
26th November 2015, Politics Department
Reading of the constitution, screening of clippings of Shyam Benegal's Sanvidhan followed by student's Panel discussion on Capital Punishment
Kawthewadi Visit
20th November 2015, Politics Department
Student's Field Visit
American Library Orientation
31st July 2015, Politics Department
TYBA Politics students Field Visit
Samyukta Maharashtra Movement Museum
23rd July 2015, Politics Department
TYBA Politics students field Visit
Higher Education Avenues at South Asian & Azim Premji University
18th June 2015, Politics Department
Guest lecture by Alumina Bhakti Damle, Bangalore & V Jaideep, New Delhi
Higher Education Avenues at South Asian & Azim Premji University
18th June 2015, Politics Department
Guest lecture by Alumina Bhakti Damle, Bangalore & V Jaideep, New Delhi
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Successfully guided Ph.D. student Ajinkya Gaikwad in the Department of Politics Research Centre, SIES College of Arts, Science & Commerce (Autonomous), University of Mumbai, for the dissertation titled Multiculturalism in Retreat-A Case Study of Britain. Result declared on 14th January 2023.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Delivered a lecture on Publication Ethics-Definition, introduction and importance and Conflict of Interest in the course on Ethics in Research organised by the Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai, 16 February 2022.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Co-curricular
Organised a field visit for TYBA Politics students to Dosti House, Bandra-Kurla Complex on 4 March 2022.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Co-curricular
Organised a field visit to Urban Farmer Tushar Desai, Ghatkopar for the First Year Students as part of credit course on UN Agenda 20230: India Towards Zero Hunger on 7 April 2022.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed as Chairman for the Inlaks Scholarship 2021on interview panel for students selected for PG & Ph.D. courses to foreign Universities, 11 May 2021.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed as Visiting Faculty and member Research Advisory Committee from 1 June 2020 at Nawal War College, Goa.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Invited as expert on the interview panel for the selection of Inlaks Scholars 2019 for students seeking admissions to Post Graduate and research programmes in the Foreign Universities, 30 May 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Invited as resource person for panel interview of ER Fellowship Programme by Praja Foundation on 1st October 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Member Board of Studies in Political Science at Chikitsak Samuhas Patkar College of Arts, Science & V. P. Varde College of Commerce & Economics, Goregaon , Mumbai, 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Member Board of Studies in Political Science at S.P. College, Pune, 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Member Board of Studies in Political Science at SNDT Womens University, Mumbai, 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Invited to deliver a talk on Terrorism on the Indian Celluloid at Kirti M. Doongursee College, Mumbai, 16 January 2020.
Dr Vanita Vaibhav Banjan
Personal
Delivered a Guest Lecture on Introduction to Constitution of India to an all woman participants of a five day certificate program for social political activists at Netritva Sadhana organised by Rambhau Mhaligi Prabodhini, Uttan, Bhayander on 5th December 2019.
Dr Vanita Vaibhav Banjan
Personal
Delivered a lecture on Feminism and Environmentalism for the participants of Post Graduate Programme of Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership an initiative by Rambhau Mhaligi Prabodhini on 11th September 2019.
Dr Vanita Vaibhav Banjan
Personal
Conceived the theme and was part of the organising team of a two day International Inter-disciplinary Seminar titled Mapping Indian Diaspora: Issues and Perspectives organised by the Department of Humanities, SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous) on 13th and 14th December 2019.
Dr Vanita Vaibhav Banjan
Personal
Participated in a one day interdisciplinary Workshop on Research Methodology organsised by English, Philosophy and Politics on 27th January 2020.
Dr Ajinkya Ashok Gaikwad
Personal
Served as a Board of Studies Member and Author for the Committee of Civics & Politics at the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production & Curriculum Research (Balbharti), Pune. Std. XII Textbook (in press)
Dr Ajinkya Ashok Gaikwad
Personal
Opinion/Column Writer for Marathi Daily Divya Marathi
Dr Ajinkya Ashok Gaikwad
Personal
Contributing Writer for TheWires Marathi portal
Dr Ajinkya Ashok Gaikwad
Co-curricular
Organized a visit to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for students of FY, SY and TY classes of Politics on 26th February 2020.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed on Editorial Board and as Writer for Marathi Vishwakosh in the subject of International Relations 2018-2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed as Member Board of Studies in the subject of Political Science by SNDT Womens University, Mumbai for the academic year 2018-2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed as Vice Chancellors nominee on Board of Studies in the subject of Political Science at Chikitsak Samuhas Patkar College of Arts, Science & V. P. Varde College of Commerce & Economics, Goregaon, Mumbai for three year tenure, March 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed as Member Board of Studies in the subject of Political Science by S. P. College, Pune in April 2019.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Delivered a talk on The New Age Terrorism: The Case of Mumbai Attacks at Department of Political Science, SNDT Womens University, Mumbai, 7th September 2018.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Worked On Selection Committee For The Inlaks Scholarships-2017, 31st May 2017, Mumbai.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Nominated as Member, Subject Board for the Department of Political Science of Ramnarain Ruia College (Autonomous), Mumbai, 27 July 2017.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Organised study tour for TYBA Politics students to Jain Irrigation, Gandhi Teerth, Ajanta & Manobal, Jalgaon from 3-6 September 2017
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed as advisory and contributor on the Subject Board of International Relations of Marathi Vishwakosh Mandal, 9 September 2017.
Dr Ajinkya Ashok Gaikwad
Personal
Member, Committee for Civics & Politics, Maharashtra State Bureau for Textbook Production & Curriculum Research, Balbharti, Pune
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Talk
‘Kashmir-A Unresolved Puzzle for Post Graduate Diploma in Security Studies at the Department of Civics & Politics, University of Mumbai on 12th January 2017.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Resource Person
Spoke on ‘Demonetization and US Elections on Sahyadri Doordarshan TV Channel, 9 November 2016.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Worked on selection Committee for the Inlaks Research Travel Grants 2016, 8th November 2016, Mumbai.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Chaired a session on ‘Environment & Sustainable Development in South Asia-II at the International Seminar on ‘Environmental Security and Sustainable Development in South Asia organized by the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation & Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Pondicherry, 20 October 2016.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Resource Person
Spoke on ‘US Elections on Sahyadri Doordarshan TV Channel, 10 October 2016
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Organised a visit of TYBA students to the American Library Dosti House on 9 February 2017.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Organised a field visit for TYBA students to Ralegan Siddhi-Hiware Bazar-Snehalay on 12-13 September 2016.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed by the University of Mumbai as committee member to prepare TYBA Syllabus in politics on 8 September 2016.
Dr Ajinkya Ashok Gaikwad
Co-curricular
Conducted a field visit for the students of TYBA (Politics) to the Samyukta Maharashtra Museum, Dadar as part of thier course in Political Process in Maharashtra (Paper IV) on 5th July 2016.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
Appointed by the University of Mumbai as committee member to prepare FYBA Syllabus in politics on May 2016.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Talk
talk on traversing indian politics through cinema , v.g.vaze college, mulund, mumbai, 14 january 2016
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Talk
panelist for the book discussion on this unquiet land by barkha dutt organised by the nehru centre, mumbai on march 31, 2016.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
appointed as expert for the interviews for the selection of 2015 inlaks scholars by the inlaks shivdasani foundation, mumbai, june 2015.
Dr Rashmi Samir Bhure
Personal
appointed as expert to serve on the selection committee for the inlaks research travel grants 2015, 20th october, 2015.
