About the Department

The Department of Politics and Public Administration was established in 1937 with Dr. Eddy Asirvatham as Head of the Department. Professor R. Bhaskaran ably guided the Department during 1947-1965 and made the Department well known in the country. Professor C.A.Perumal during his tenure as head of the Department between 1965 and 1987 brought Faculty Improvement Program which improved the number of Ph.D candidates, introduced two novel post graduate programmes in Political Philosophy and Public Management and also strengthened the Political Science and Public Administration professional associations. During his headship (1987-2005), Professor R. Balasubramanian supervised the working of Department of Special Assistance Programme in two phases and was responsible for increased activity in the department as well as in the national professional organizations, including Indian Institute of Public Administration. Adorning administrative roles in the University, he contributed to the administration of the University. Dr.Aruna Sivakami, the head of the Department during 2005-2007 guided the ASIHSS Program. She has subsequently become the vice chancellor of Mother Teresa Women's University. Currently the Department is being headed by Dr G. Koteswara Prasad. The Department is in the third phase of Special Assistance Program. Broad teaching and research areas of interest currently in the department include Political Philosophy, Tamil Nadu Politics, Public Administration, Public Policy, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Management and Governance. The Department has Jayaprakash Narayan Reference Library, created through a small endowment from 1970s.  

The Department students are getting placements in various public (including civil services), autonomous, private sectors and non governmental organizations. The faculty of the Department provides advice on the choices and opportunities to the students from time to time.  

The Department is prepared to offer consultancy services based on the expertise of the Faculty members. The areas of expertise include and not limited to: Urban and Rural Governance, Development Issues, Women, health and environmental concerns, Peace and Conflict Studies, Survey Research and Elections, Various dimensions of Public Policy, Public Management and Governance Perspectives.  

Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras, Chennai 600 005 Office : 044-25399475 HOD. No : 044-25399698 Fax No : 044-25360749 (Registrar?s Office) Email-id : politics@unom.ac.in ,  koteswaraprasad@gmail.com