Department of Geography

Department Overview and Achievements

 

Since its inception in 1960, our Department has carved a niche in academia with its comprehensive suite of postgraduate programs in Geography, Geoinformatics, and Disaster Management. Recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and training, the Department offers supervision up to the Ph.D. level. A testament to its outstanding contributions, the University Grants Commission designated our Department as a Centre of Advanced Study from 2009 to 2020.

As the headquarters of the Association of Population Geographers of India, the Department publishes "Population Geography," the premier and only journal dedicated to this theme in the country, and it is proudly listed in the UGC Care index.

Academic Programs and Research Focus
Our three Master's programsGeography, Geoinformatics and Disaster Managementprovide interdisciplinary learning opportunities. The Department has pioneered efforts to address societal needs and prepare students and researchers to contribute to national progress.

Our major research thrust areas include Population Geography, Settlement Geography, Agricultural Geography, Geography & Ecosystems, Remote Sensing and GIS applications, Regional Development and Disaster Management. Research-based teaching is a cornerstone of the Department, fostering a stimulating environment with the necessary tools for comprehensive training and research in all major branches of the subject.

Facilities and Learning Environment
Our Department is equipped with an updated library and state-of-the-art computer labs supporting GIS, image processing, and GPS software. The dedicated RUSA lab is outfitted with advanced instruments such as Total Stations, DGPS, clinometers, laser distance meters, GPS handhelds, and disaster rescue kits. Emphasizing fieldwork as an essential component of learning, we organize regular nationwide field trips to provide students with practical experience. National-level internships, including opportunities at IITs, PRSC, NRSC further enhance students' practical knowledge and hands-on training.

Collaborations and Interdisciplinary Approach
The Department has cultivated robust collaborations with prestigious organizations such as the Survey of India, NRSC Hyderabad, Census of India, IIRS Dehradun, ICSSR New Delhi, NDMA, IMD, Chandigarh and PRSC Ludhiana. From time to time we organize academic interactions with these organizations.

By promoting an interdisciplinary approach, we facilitate both formal and informal interactions between teachers and research scholars through discussions, popular talks, debates, and fieldwork on themes pertinent to the discipline and broader societal issues. We routinely organize National Seminars (including UGC sponsored programmes) Refresher Courses in Geography for college and university teachers, and short-term workshops and training programs in Remote Sensing and GIS for educators.

Commitment to Excellence
In addition to delivering high-quality teaching, our faculty members are deeply engaged in research, both independently and in collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues at various institutes in India and abroad. Our research scholars, known for their high calibre and potential, consistently publish their work in SCI-indexed journals, Scopus-indexed journals, UGC Care-indexed journals, and other peer-reviewed publications. Our unwavering commitment to professionalism and high academic standards ensures that we remain at the forefront of geographical and geospatial sciences and disaster management studies, fostering a vibrant and dynamic learning environment.