Brief History of the Department

The Department of Psychology at Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, is one of the institution’s most distinguished academic departments, with a rich legacy spanning more than six decades. Established in 1960 under the visionary guidance of Ms. Nirmala Sherjung, the department began its journey with a pioneering commitment to advancing psychological education for women. Ms. Preeti Johri and Dr. Prem Kapoor were among its earliest faculty members, subsequently joined by eminent academicians including Dr. Sudesh Bal, Dr. Aruna Broota, and Dr. Veena Rewal. In 1963, the first cohort of eight students graduated with a B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology. From these modest beginnings, the department has evolved into a premier academic hub with 18 faculty members and over 250 students.

Notable Alumni

Over the years, the department has consistently maintained a reputation for academic excellence, producing University toppers and graduates who have distinguished themselves across diverse professional domains. Its alumnae have made significant contributions to counselling, education and research, human resource development, social work and civil services. Some of the notable alumnae include Ms. Laldinglianai Sailo (Retd. Chief Commissioner, IT and member of National Council for Women, NE), Monica Rana (IRS, IT Delhi), Nistha Vashishth (IRS, IT Delhi), Prakriti Nigam (IRS), Kiran Grewal (Sportsperson, Indian Women’s Basketball Team; 1974-75), Prof. Ashum Gupta (Former Director – Gandhi Bhawan, Former HoD Department of Psychology, University of Delhi), Komal GB Singh (News Reader), Asha Kamal Modi (CEO, Art Karat), Dr. Aruna Broota (retd. Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Delhi), Dr. Anita Ghai ((Former Professor, Department of Disability Studies, AUD and Disability Rights Activist), Neena Trehan (First Woman Entrepreneur Awardee) and many more.

Thrust Areas / Expertise / Research Areas

The department is committed to providing a robust foundation in psychological theory while simultaneously fostering practical competencies and professional skills. Its pedagogical approach integrates academic rigour with experiential learning, enabling students to engage critically with issues of professional ethics, gender, diversity, inclusion, and human values within contemporary sociocultural contexts. Through this balanced approach, students are equipped not only for successful professional careers but also for informed and responsible citizenship. 

The department offers comprehensive education across a wide spectrum of psychological disciplines, including theoretical systems and trends in psychology; social psychology; cognitive psychology; clinical psychology; developmental psychology; gender and sexuality; organisational behaviour; psychological research; quantitative and qualitative research methods; and media psychology. The department successfully combines its rich academic heritage—preserved through a unique archival collection—with contemporary research and training. The faculty are also accomplished researchers with numerous publications in journals of national and international repute, and have actively contributed to academia through participation in conferences and seminars. 

Beyond the classroom, the Psychology Association serves as a vibrant platform for intellectual engagement, leadership development, and community building. Through conferences, seminars, workshops, special lectures, academic colloquia, research paper presentations, cultural programmes, and outreach initiatives, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, communication skills, research aptitude, and professional confidence. These activities create opportunities for meaningful engagement with leading scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and mental health professionals.

Important Milestones

A significant milestone in the department’s recent journey has been its proactive and exemplary implementation of the Under-Graduate Curriculum Framework under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The department has translated the vision of NEP into meaningful academic practices that promote flexibility, interdisciplinarity, skill development, and holistic education. Faculty members of the department have played an active role in curriculum development and revision at the University of Delhi, contributing significantly to the design and implementation of NEP-aligned programmes. Their participation in curriculum committees and academic bodies has helped shape contemporary psychology education that is responsive to emerging societal and professional needs.

NEP 2020 Initiatives and Implementation

In alignment with NEP’s emphasis on multidisciplinary learning, the department has successfully introduced and offered a diverse range of Generic Elective (GE), Skill Enhancement Course (SEC), and Value-Added Course (VAC). These courses enable students from varied disciplines to engage with psychological perspectives while providing psychology students opportunities to broaden their academic horizons through interdisciplinary learning. Such initiatives have fostered greater academic flexibility and encouraged students to explore diverse intellectual pathways.

List of Faculty Members

The department’s academic endeavours are led by a distinguished team of 18 faculty members, including: Dr. Veena Gupta (Associate Professor), Dr. Shrruti Sahrawat (Associate Professor), Dr. Surabhika Maheshwari (Associate Professor), Dr. Nidhi Malik (Associate Professor), Dr. Meenakshi Verma (Associate Professor), Dr. Mitu Rohatgi (Associate Professor), Dr. Gayatri Arunkumar (Associate Professor), Dr. Anshu (Associate Professor), Dr. Siddharth Sagar (Assistant Professor), Dr. Jaswant Singh Yadav (Assistant Professor), Dr. Surbhi Kumar (Assistant Professor), Dr. Swati Jain (Assistant Professor), Mr. Sanjay (Assistant Professor), Dr. Subhra Solanki (Assistant Professor), Ms. Pavani Tyagi (Assistant Professor), Ms. Tejshwee Kumari (Assistant Professor), Dr. Drishti Kashyap (Assistant Professor), and Ms. Simran Bodh (Assistant Professor). Together, they ensure the delivery of high-quality education in an increasingly changing academic landscape.