The Defense and Strategic Studies program, introduced at the University of Uttar Pradesh in 1976, is a multidisciplinary course that addresses critical issues in national security, military history, international relations, and strategic management.

Established in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pak and India-Bangladesh conflicts, the program aims to foster national security awareness and empower students with knowledge to navigate complex security landscapes.

Course Highlights and Significance:
Offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the course encourages early-stage research, equipping students to understand both national and global security challenges. Developed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) after the 1971 war, the program's interdisciplinary nature integrates political science, public administration, and management studies, making it particularly beneficial for students preparing for competitive exams like the UPSC, where national security and international relations are key topics.

Scope of Study:
The course covers a vast array of subjects, including military warfare, Indian and world military history, constitutional studies, defense management, international law, and human rights. This multidisciplinary approach enables students to explore a broad spectrum of fields, linking their studies with other disciplines and expanding career opportunities.

Institutions Offering the Program:
While North Indian universities embraced Defense Studies quickly, South Indian institutions followed suit. Tamil Nadu's University of Madras pioneered the program, and it has since expanded to 24 institutions, including Tiruvalluvar University, Bharathiar University, and Bharathidasan University. Deemed universities like SRM, MGR University, and Hindustan University also offer related courses.

Career Prospects:
Beyond the 35% graduates getting into uniformed services like Army, Navy, paramilitary forces, and police, others enter into domains like law, journalism, research and public administration. Graduates can become defense analysts and contributors to think tanks impacting the national and global security. With more colleges offering this program, there is a huge demand for lecturers.

- Prof. Thirumaran, HoD, Defense & Strategic Studies, Voorhees College, Vellore.