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Department of Defence and Strategic Studies

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Department of Defence and Strategic Studies

Welcome to the official page of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), SPPU! Stay updated on events, programs, and academic initiatives. course.

We focus on research, policy analysis, and education in defense, security, and strategic studies. The University Department of Defence and Strategic Studies was established in 1963. Titled as the Department of Military Studies it began as a department catering to the undergraduate courses in Defence Studies. In 1974 the Department began post-graduate teaching and research. Following the Candeth Co

mmittee recommendations, the teaching and research activities of the department underwent a major change. The Department came to be renamed as Department of Defence Studies and later on as Department of Defence and Strategic Studies in 1984. This Department has been engaged in teaching and research, having as its primary focus India’s national security. The approach to the study of national security is interdisciplinary and as such encompasses such aspects like geopolitics and military geography, science and technology, economics of defence, conflict management and conflict resolution, etc. The Department has also developed a linkage with the Indian Armed Forces with the institution of several programmes. The Indian Army has instituted the Chhatrapati Shivaji Chair in Policy Studies on 6th July,1994; a Scholars in Residence Programme under which several Officers from the Indian Army join the Department as Visiting Scholars and the General B.C.Joshi memorial Lecture,every year on 18th November. The Department admits students from all faculties for the M.A./M.Sc. In-service Officers of the Indian Armed Forces also join the Department on Study Leave. The Department encourages foreign students to join the post-graduate and research courses.

09/12/2025

Had an excellent expert talk organised jointly by the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies and the International Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, on the topic “Mental Focus and Discipline to be a Global Leader.”

The session was delivered by Dr. Chaerin Kim, Faculty Member, University of Massachusetts Boston (USA); Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, London; and Grammy Awards Voting Member (from 2024). Her husband Mr. Shiva was also present during the programme.

Dr. Kim’s talk offered deep insights into how mental clarity, consistent discipline, emotional balance, and long-term vision shape global leadership. She beautifully blended her international academic experience with inspiring real-life examples, motivating students to build focus, resilience, and a global mindset.

The event was held on Tuesday, 9th December 2025 at 12:00 noon at YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune – 411007.

Faculty members, researchers, and students participated actively and greatly benefited from her impactful session.

08/12/2025

Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies and International Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University are jointly organizing an expert talk on the topic, “Mental Focus and Discipline to be a Global Leader” to be delivered by Dr. Chaerin Kim, Faculty Member, University of Massachusetts, Boston (USA), Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Grammy Awards Voting Member from 2024.

🗓 Date: Tuesday, 9th December 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00 noon
📍 Venue: YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building,
Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune – 411007.

All faculty members, researchers, and students are cordially invited to attend and participate.

02/12/2025

A profound tribute was paid to the legacy of General BC Joshi as the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), Savitribai Phule Pune University, hosted the General BC Joshi Memorial Lecture 2025 on Monday, 1st December 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Swarajyarakshak Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Sabhagruha, Iravati Karve Shaikshanik Sankul, SPPU, Pune – 411007.

This year’s Memorial Address was delivered by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Chief of the Naval Staff, who spoke on the topic “Shaping India’s Future through Sea Power and Self-Reliance – An Indian Naval Perspective.” His reflections offered a compelling understanding of India’s maritime capabilities and strategic direction.

The programme was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Gosavi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SPPU; Prof. (Dr.) Parag Kalkar, Hon’ble Pro-Vice Chancellor, SPPU and Prof. (Dr.) Jyoti Bhakare, Officiating Registrar, SPPU.

Also present were Prof. (Dr.) Nitin Karmalkar, Former Vice Chancellor, SPPU, senior officers from the Southern Command, officers from the Indian Navy, SPPU authorities, faculty, staff and students, marking the occasion with strong academic and institutional participation.

The event reflected DDSS’s continued commitment to fostering strategic thought and honouring distinguished military leadership.

26/11/2025

Happy to share that the 76th Constitution Day was celebrated jointly by the Department of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Studies (DBAS) and the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Wednesday, 26th November 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building, SPPU, Pune – 411007.

On this occasion, the Preamble of the Constitution of India was read collectively, reaffirming our commitment to constitutional values. Students also highlighted key Fundamental Duties, reflecting on their relevance in contemporary society.

The event was held in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Milind Nikalge, Head, DBAS; Prof. (Dr.) M. L. Sali; RSP Officers; and faculty members from both DDSS and DBAS, who contributed to the significance of the celebration.

24/11/2025

You are cordially invited to the General BC Joshi Memorial Lecture 2025

Speaker: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy

Topic: Shaping India's Future through Sea Power and Self-Reliance – An Indian Naval Perspective

📅 Date: Monday, 1st December 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM (Guests are requested to be seated by 2:30 PM for security reasons)

📍 Venue: Swarajyarakshak Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Sabhagruha, Iravati Karve Shaikshanik Sankul, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune – 411007

🎖️ Organized by: Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), Savitribai Phule Pune University

This event commemorates and honors the remarkable legacy of General BC Joshi.

Unable to attend in person? Join us live via webcast: https://webcast.unipune.ac.in/DDSS/

22/11/2025

The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), International Centre and the Department of Economics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, in collaboration with IDP International Education Specialists, cordially invite you to an International Guest Lecture on “Economic Development and the Role of Institutions”

Speaker:
Prof. (Dr.) Michael Stimmelmayr
Senior Professor, Department of Economics,
University in Bath, England

Discussants:
Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Jain
Head, Department of Economics, SPPU and
Prof. (Dr.) Shilpa Bhide
BBA(IB) Course Coordinator, International Centre, SPPU

Date: Monday, 1st December 2025
Time: 9:30 AM
Venue: YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building, SPPU, Pune – 411007

Join us for an insightful discourse on how institutions shape economic progress globally.

✨ Open for Faculty, Researchers, Scholars, and Students.
📨 All are cordially invited!

21/11/2025

Had an excellent lecture-cum-discussion organised by the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), featuring two distinguished speakers who delivered deeply insightful sessions.

Prof. (Dr.) Imankalyan Lahiri, Former Head, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, spoke on “India's Diplomatic Renaissance: Progress and Potential.”

Prof. (Dr.) Mayurakshi Chaudhuri, Professor, Sociology and Digital Humanities, FLAME University, Pune, elaborated on “The New Mobilities Paradigm: Critical Theoretical and Analytical Developments.”

The program was held on Thursday, 20th November 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune – 411007.

Faculty members, researchers, and students participated actively, contributing to a rich, engaging, and academically stimulating exchange of ideas.

18/11/2025

Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies is organizing a Lecture-cum-Discussion on the following topics:

1️⃣ “India's Diplomatic Renaissance: Progress and Potential”
to be delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Imankalyan Lahiri, Former Head, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal.

2️⃣ “The New Mobilities Paradigm: Critical Theoretical and Analytical Developments”
to be delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Mayurakshi Chaudhuri, Professor, Sociology and Digital Humanities, FLAME University, Pune.

🗓 Date: Thursday, 20th November 2025
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM
📍 Venue: YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune – 411007.

All faculty members, researchers, and students are cordially invited to attend and participate.

17/11/2025

Had an excellent interaction with the team of officers from Southern Command mainly MGSD, SD , Lt. Officiating Col Education and AAG 330 Bde on Thursday, 13th November 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune.

Hon’ble Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Gosavi, Vice Chancellor, SPPU, also interacted with the officers at the Vice Chancellor’s Office, Main Building, SPPU.

21/10/2025

One-Week Course on Russian Language, Culture, and Society

Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), in collaboration with the Strategic Culture and Security Foundation, Pune, organised an intensive One-Week Course on “Russian Language, Culture, and Society”, conducted by the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS) and the Russian Section of the Department of Foreign Languages.

The course commenced on Monday, 6th October 2025 at 3:00 p.m. and featured sessions by Ms. Nadezhda Kotliavevskaia, Minin University, Russia, and Dr. Anagha Bhat Behere, SPPU.

Certificates were distributed to the participants who successfully completed the course. The initiative highlighted SPPU’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding, linguistic learning, and international academic collaboration.

07/10/2025

The Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) organised the Inauguration Ceremony of the following new academic initiatives:

• Advanced Course in Disaster Management and National Security
• Advanced Course in Cyber and India’s National Security
• Advanced Course in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Vision and Nation Building
• M.A. in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Vision and Nation Building

The inauguration was held at the hands of Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Gosavi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SPPU, in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Parag Kalkar, Hon’ble Pro-Vice Chancellor, SPPU, and other dignitaries. These courses aim to integrate strategic thinking, historical perspective, and national vision in addressing emerging challenges.

On the same occasion, the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), in collaboration with the International Centre, SPPU, and the Strategic Culture and Security Foundation, Pune, organised a One-Week Course on “Russian Language, Culture and Society” on Monday, 6th October 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the YC-NISDA Library Hall, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Building, SPPU, Pune – 411007.

The course will be conducted by Ms. Nadezhda Kotliavevskaia, Minin University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and coordinated by Dr. Anagha Bhat Behere, Coordinator for Russian, Department of Foreign Languages, SPPU.

These initiatives reaffirm SPPU’s commitment to fostering strategic education, global engagement, and multidisciplinary learning in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

19/09/2025

An Enriching Experience at the Gen SF Rodrigues Memorial Seminar

Dr. Vijay Khare I had the privilege of attending the Gen SF Rodrigues Memorial Seminar on Friday, 19th September 2025 at 9:00 am at RSAMI, Pune, along with Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Gosavi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU); and the faculty and students of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DDSS), SPPU.

The seminar brought together eminent military leaders who shared their perspectives on “Threat Landscape and Strategic Imperatives of Non-Contact, Non-Kinetic Warfare for the Indian Armed Forces” and “Leveraging Non-Contact Kinetic Capabilities – Learnings from Recent Conflicts and the Way Ahead for the Indian Army”.

Distinguished speakers included Lt. Gen. Adosh Kumar PVSM , AVSM, SM, Lt.Gen.Dushyant Singh PVSM,AVSM(Retd.), Lt.Gen.A.K.Bhat PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd)Air Vice Marshal (Dr.) Devesh Vatsa, VSM (Retd.); Brig. G. Manoj and other eminent scholars were present.

The discussions offered deep insights into the evolving nature of modern warfare and served as a meaningful tribute to Gen SF Rodrigues.

Address

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (Humanities) Building, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind
Pune
411007

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	10am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	10am - 5:30pm
Thursday	10am - 5:30pm
Friday	10am - 5:30pm
Saturday	10am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+912025621472

Website

http://www.unipune.ac.in/dept/mental_moral_and_social_science/defense_and_strategic_studies/default.htm

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