The Dept of Social Sciences was established in the year 1969 with a view to impart social science education at the post-graduate level.
             In March 1981, the Government of Maharashtra recognized the Parangat (M.A.) degree course, for the purpose of recruitment in government services. The most important event that gave official recognition to the work being done at the Dept of Social Sciences took place in 1987. The Government of India (Vide G.R. F.9 - 19/85- U- 3 date 24- 04 - 87) gave recognition to the teaching programmes and research work of the TMU by granting it recognition as a Deemed University. The financial position of the Dept of Social Sciences also stabilized as the Government of Maharashtra Vide G.R. No. Higher Education /Tech Edu. RSI/ - 1288/ (1303) VS-1 dated 02-09-97 assured financial input needed for progress of the institution.
               As per the tenth plan allocations for the Vidyapeeth and the suggestions of the UGC Chairman Prof. Nigvekar (ref. No. D. O. No. F. 2-5/2002 X plan) it was decided that all four departments that comprised the Dept of Social Sciences be separated into autonomous departments. Thus, a separate Departments viz. Socialogy, Economics, History, Political Science etc.came into being with effect from September 2005.
               The Dept of Social Sciences consists of the following departments :

Department of Economics
                Tilak  Maharashtra Vidyapeeth established the Dept of Social Sciences for post graduate teaching and research in Economics. The students from both rural and urban area have been attracting towards the courses offered by the Economics department.At present the Economics Department offers the following courses:
     - M. A. (Economics)
     - M. Phil. (Economics)
     - Ph. D. (Economics)

The future:
        - Extension of the department as a Research Center
        - Specialization in Rural Economics and Social Economics         
        - Computer Application in Economics

Faculty:

Dr. Praveen Jadhav (Head, Department of Economics)
Prof. Jyoti Patil (Lecturer In Economics)

Department of Political Science
                Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth established the Department of Social Sciences for post graduate teaching and research in Political Science. The students from both rural and urban areas have been attracted towards the courses offered by the Political Science department.
                 At present the Political Science Department offers the following courses :
     - M. A. (Political Science)
     - M. Phil. (Political Science)
     - Ph. D. (Political Science)
The future :
     - Extension of the department as a Research Centre
     - Specialisation in Political Sociology
     - Lokmanya Tilak and Political Philosophy study center
     - Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights and Development
     - Post Graduate Diploma in Development Administration
     - Post Graduate Diploma in Local Self Government
Faculty :
Prof. Manik Sonawane (Head Of The Department)
Dr. Sunita Kale (Visiting Faculty)

Department of Sociology
            
The social section was part of the interdisciplinary Parangat (M.A.) in Social Sciences Course conducted by the Dept of Social Sciences since 1969. In 2006, after the NACC accreditation of the Vidyapeeth, the U.G.C. recommended that separate departments be set up for Sociology and other Social Sciences . From June 2006, the faculty of Social and Moral Sciences was inculcated. Under this umbrella the Sociology department has a separate existence and a new UGC recommended syllabus. There are four core papers and four elective papers. The M.A. course attracts students from outside Maharashtra (i.e. Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Assam). Also many students from S.E. Asia and Africa have enrolled for the Parangat (M.A.) course.

The M.Phil (Vidyanishnat) and Ph.D (Vidyavachaspati) programmes have adequate number of students. Students are selected on the basis of their experience in research, academic merit and interview with the selection committee every year. As students from different social sciences background besides that of sociology are eligible for admission, the research areas selected by students cover multifarious fields and contribute to the research work of the department.
The present student strength of the internal /external sections are shown in annexure -------.
The fee structure for each course is also mentioned.

For M.Phil and Ph.D students we have a panel of examiners from within the department and from recognized Universities outsides. Normally a maximum of 8 students per guide for and M.Phil and 4 for Ph.D is the norm.

Internal students of the M.A. Programme have internal assessment of 20% and a final examination of 80% totaling 100. Each internal student has to undergo the mid-term examination and appear for two tutorials and also a minimum of 80% attendance of classes is the norm.

The medium of teaching is English but assistance is provided in Marathi for students with a vernacular background. The Vidyapeeth library has a rich stock of books in social sciences and it also subscribes to recognized social science journals and weekly's.

The M.Phil Students names list and numbers are presented in the annexure. Presently Dr. Anupama Keskar is the only recognized guide for M.Phil and Ph.D students and therefore outside guides have been incorporated to facilitate and assist the programme.

The sociology syllabus is at present constructed as per UGC guidelines and comprises of papers. However as the department had less faculty members all coursed cannot be taught in the classroom. The professors post (open) is at present vacant and needs to be filled. The department work will benefit by having a professor as the academic and administrative head. If not filled in time, there is the possibility of losing the post altogether, which will a loss to the development and progress of the department.

There is also a need for a research assistance well versed in research methodology, statistical analysis and well used to handling computer software for processing data. The department can take up major research projects with this help and financial support from the ICSSR and UGC. At present the minor research projects undertaken by the faculty have to be funded by the Vidyapeeth through unassigned grants alone.

Future Planning:

1. The department can plan a textbook and reference book writing plan in Marathi and English for internal and especially for external students (who are weak in English).The programze will need adequate funds for research, library work, travel fro study purposes, infrastructural needs and for printing and publishing. A budgetary provision has been suggested for this in the 11th plan projection. This will enhance the quality of student's work and performance in examinations.

2. The department plans to conduct programmes in April for external students. This will help them to prepare better for examinations and also give them attune them with the examination pattern.

3. The syllabus has a paper on Gender and Communication, which can be initiated with adequate faculty and availability of infrastructure such as OHP, LCD, Video player and other such equipment. Visual media is extremely supportive in teaching subjects such as the above mentioned.

The M.Phil programme has ----------- students are mentioned in the annexure.
The Ph.D programme has ----------- students as provided in the annexure.

Faculty:
Dr. Anupama Keskar (Head Of Department)

Department of History
                The department hopes to be recognized as a centre for higher learning in History. It aims to equip its students with knowledge of the art and science of History writing. It also hopes to create a place of its own as an institution devoted to the learning of Modern South Asian history. It aims to be in touch with the local and global academic community through various points of interaction arranged by its own initiative. It also hopes that its faculty members will further strengthen their academic standards by contributing to teaching, research and extension activities, thus benefiting its students, and creating a respectable reputation for the department and the Vidyapeeth in the larger community.

Vision 2007-2012
                 The department has revised its existing curricula for M. A. and M. Phil. courses. The new curricula place emphasis on fieldwork, hands-on experience in Writing of history, seminars and presentations, awareness of socio-cultural reality and latest information on recent trends and debates in the field of history. In accordance with the Vidyapeeth rules, the new syllabus will be revised after five years, i.e. by 2011.
                 The department hopes to organize a regional and a national level seminar every alternate year. Marking the 150th birth anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, the department proposes to organize a national seminar on the theme “19th Century: A Reassessment” in the current academic year. Vidyapeeth departments are not Ivory Towers, but are organically related to the society in which they function. Hence, the department proposes to organize this national seminar in collaboration with ‘A. M. Deshpande Memorial Study Circle’, an institution working in the field of research in History for the last few years in Pune.
                 The department hopes to come up with publications in the field of historical research in the coming years. The Major Research Project undertaken by Dr. Kumbhojkar is likely to complete by 2009. The department would like to publish its report. Besides, the faculty members keep publishing their articles in various journals and newspapers. The department would like to publish a collection of these papers. The proceedings of the seminars and symposia organized at the department would also be published.
                 The department organizes an annual endowment lecture in memory of a great philosopher of History, late D. V. Apte. The department will continue with the lecture series that will soon be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee.
                 The department aims to expand its student base locally in and around Pune, as well as globally. It would strive to recruit students from all over the world who are interested in studying South Asian history in particular. YOUR COMMENTS & FEEDBACK about the teaching and research activities of the department would be an important step in reaching out to a wider audience.
                 The department would like to reach out not only to the students of history, but also faculty members involved in the teaching of History. The department was sanctioned to organize 5 refresher courses in history in 1996-1997. The department would like to revive the programme and organise refresher courses in History.
                 The establishment of the State of Maharashtra will be completing 50 years in 2010. The department proposes to celebrate the golden jubilee of the state by organizing an International seminar on “Maharashtra: Society and Identity”.
                 The department at present has one individual Major Research Project sanctioned by the UGC. The department proposes to undertake a joint Major research project on the theme of “History and Memory: Western Indian Perspectives”.

Department of Philosophy
                 Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth established the Dept of Social Sciences for post graduate teaching in Philosophy. The students from both rural and urban areas have been attracted towards the courses offered by the Philosophy department.
                 At present the Philosophy Department offers the following courses :
                 M. A. (Philosophy)

Department of Library and Information Science
By keeping in consistency with the aims of the Vidyapeeth, professional degree course in Library Science is run by the Department of Library Science since 1984. The Vidyapeeth is known for promoting regional language as a medium of instruction. The library science courses (B.Lib and I. Sc, M. Lib and I. Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D) are getting growing response from the students from urban as well as rural areas of Maharashtra. A Master degree course in Library and Information Science was launched in 2002 the M.Phil. Program in 2007 and Ph.D. program in 2008. Study Visits to the different types of Libraries are arranged. One month’s library training is a special feature of the LIS course. Considering the recent developments with regard to ICT, the dept. has revised syllabus and also semester pattern of examination has been introduced. A new subject on Communication Skill in library has also been introduced. New teaching methods like computer instructions are adopted for subjects like Information Technology Applications in Libraries along with practical work, project work & assignments. The past students of the Department are now working as library professionals in various academic, special and public libraries across the state & national levels. The department of Library and Information Science runs the following programs: Department of Library and Information Science offers the following programmes :
                 Bachelor of Library & Information Science (B.Lib.&I.Sc.)
                 Master of Library & Information Science (M.Lib. & I.Sc.)
                 M.Phil. Library & Information Science
                 Ph.D. (LIS)

Course Approval Certificate

Dept of Social Sciences

* Certificate Course in English

* Diploma in Philosophy

* B.Lib. & I.Sc.

* M.A Sociology

* M.A./M.Sc in Geography

* M.A. in Economics

* M.A in History

* M.A in Philosophy

* M.A. in Political Science

* Master in Journalism (Mass Media)

* Master in Journalism (Print Media)

* M.Lib & I.Sc.

Rules of M.Phil Programme

Rules of Ph.D Programme

Rules of Ph.D Programme 2011-12

* M.Phil in Sociology

* M.Phil in Economics

* M.Phil in Geography

* M.Phil in History

* M.Phil in Political Science

* M.Phil in Lib. & I.Sc.

* Ph.D. in Sociology

* Ph.D. in Economics

* Ph.D. in History

* Ph.D. in Political Science

* Ph.D in Journalism

* Ph.D. in Philosophy

* Ph.D.in Library Science.

* Ph.D.in Geography.