About Us

The Government of India had decided in 2006 to honor the contribution of our Late Prime Minister, Hon'ble Shri Rajiv Gandhi by establishing Rajiv Gandhi Chair in Contemporary Studies in the University of Mumbai. This is also significant as the University celebrated its 150th year. The Ministry of Human Resource Development through the University Grants Commission, New Delhi has given financial assistance to the University for establishment of the Chair, which has now evolved into a Centre.

The Centre works within the broad theme of Globalization, Democracy and Development. The areas of interest are primarily on the theme of Panchayati Raj and Local Governance, Impact of Technology on Society, Secularism & Nation Building along with other areas of work such as Tribal Development, Social Justice, Livelihood and Food Security, Women's Empowerment, Eco-System and Sustainable Development, Nuclear Disarmament and Peace Studies, Protection of Child Rights.

The Centre at present is headed by Dr. Chandrakant Puri who has taken over as Chair Professor, Rajiv Gandhi Centre on February 1, 2013.

The following are the functions of the Centre.

• To coordinate and to provide a think tank in the area of studies drawing expertise and inputs from academic and from experts from other sectors like Government and other national /international NGOs.
• To provide a forum for inter university/intercollegiate Post Graduate and research level dialogues, discussion meetings, summer/winter institutes, involving other Universities/autonomous Institutions/PG Centres.
• To design and execute capacity-building programmes for teachers in higher education focused on the designated discipline of the Centre.
• To strengthen the role of Universities/Academics in Public Policy making.
• To conduct short-term courses in the concerned disciplines.
• Publications of proceedings.

The Centre is coming up with its own complex at the Kalina Campus of the University at of about 2 acre on the Bandra Kurla Complex region of the University. The proposed Centre will have a state of the art infrastructure similar to the one existing in renowned academic Centres. In addition, it will house a modernized library facility, seminar cum conference hall, a contemporary art gallery and an auditorium with a seating capacity of 400 with all modern amenities.

The Center's activities are increasing rapidly. The Centre is an autonomous Centre having its own Governing Council and Academic Board.

The Centre has been able to generate Rs.3.25 Crore since its inception, as result of the special grant announced by Honorable Minister Shri Arjun Singh, Union Minister towards the infrastructure facilities of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Contemporary Studies. The Centre has also generated Rs. 2.5 Crore both from HPCL and ONGC for setting up Rajiv Gandhi Endowment Chairs.

The Centre has registered fourteen doctoral scholars so far working on various themes / contemporary issues.