In the wake of recent national security challenges such as the Pahalgam terror attack and the decisive Operation Sindoor, India’s need for a more security-conscious and strategically literate population has become increasingly evident. While these developments are national in scope, the responsibility to cultivate a well-informed and resilient citizenry must also be embraced at the state level as well. Maharashtra, as one of India’s influential, economically powerful, and strategically sensitive states, must take the lead in mainstreaming the subject of Defence and Strategic Studies into its educational and civic landscape.
Maharashtra’s Strategic Importance
Maharashtra is not just India’s economic engine but also a vital cog in its national security architecture. The state has a coastline of around 800 kms which is dotted with important ports, refineries, industries and also the headquarters of the Western Naval Command – this command is known as the ‘sword arm of the Indian Navy’. Maharashtra’s long coastline makes it both a gateway for economic activity and a potential vulnerability. The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which exploited maritime gaps, were a stark reminder of the state’s exposure to hybrid and asymmetric threats. It also made us aware of the fact that national security is everybody’s business – its not restricted to the govt. agencies and every citizen has a direct stake in the safety of the nation. But has this awareness been institutionalised and popularised?
Maharashtra has the financial capital of India – Mumbai and other important cities like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik etc. The state is home to several key defence institutions like National Defence Academy, Southern Command of Indian Army, Maintenance Command of Indian Airforce, many ordnance factories, airbases, National Academy of Defence Financial Management, College of Military Engineering etc. The state has the sole Fire Service and Civil Defence College in India – located in Nagpur. Incidentally, the first department of public administration in India was opened in RTM Nagpur University. Cities like Nashik have long been associated with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the manufacturing of fighter aircraft while Pune area has Bharat Forge and other important defence companies. In Nagpur, the presence of logistics hubs, important defence companies including Solar Group and a BrahMos unit and paramilitary training institutions adds to Maharashtra’s role in defence preparedness.
The state has a population of around 12 crores with significant levels of urbanisation. The state also has reputed academic institutions some of which are popular among foreign nationals. Not to mention, the important strategic legacy of the state which includes the legendary Marathas, social reformers like Ambedkar and the Bhakti movement which contributed to social upliftment and cohesion. In this context, fostering national security awareness among citizens is not just desirable—it is essential.
A Gap in Public Awareness and Curriculum
Despite its strategic significance, there remains a striking lack of mainstream discourse on national security and defence issues within Maharashtra’s educational and public arenas. Topics such as military strategy, internal security, cybersecurity, defence economics, military history, intelligence studies, civil defence, civil-military relations etc. are barely addressed at college level education. While the state has made moves to teach basic security studies recently at the school level, apart from announcing decision to include military training, much more needs to be done. Outside of defence-related entrance exams like NDA/CDSE/AFCAT etc, the average student has little to no formal exposure to issues that directly impact national security. While many students from the state prepare for defence exams every year, the overall percentage of candidates finally selected in military academies is dominated by states from the North.
In rural areas and semi-urban belts, where literacy and digital access are still evolving, the gap is even wider. On the other hand in the media space, most defence journalists are located in New Delhi and NCR area; the state also lacks known faces in the beat of defence journalism. The lack of awareness can lead to a population that is ill prepared for emergencies—be they natural, man-made, or hybrid in nature. It also perpetuates the myth that national security is solely the responsibility of the armed forces, rather than a shared civic responsibility.
Resolving Institutional Gaps in Maharashtra
At the UG and PG level, very few colleges in Maharashtra offer dedicated courses on Defence and Strategic Studies, which includes SPPU, NMU Jalgaon and some other colleges. Private institutions mostly focus on international relations which include some component of security studies. This lack of availability of sufficient courses leads to many interested students moving to other states to pursue courses in defence studies. The lack of courses and seats is compounded by another legacy issue in the state – there has been no recruitment at the assistant professor level since many years. This had led to a tilt towards recruiting contractual posts and guest faculties at piecemeal salaries across the state – even in popular government universities. While private universities can afford retired diplomats, officers and bureaucrats to fill this gap by offering them high salaries, public funded colleges cannot!. A person appointed on guest or contract posts spends more time finding better career opportunities than focusing on academic development. We cannot expect a serious security studies education if we do not appoint full time teachers.
Despite popular demands, the proposal for establishing a Central University in Maharashtra has not seen light of the day. Many central universities have started courses in defence studies with a good academic and post-course employment record. Establishing such a university in the state, preferably in the eastern part will help address much of these concerns.
On the other hand, India has witnessed the rise of dedicated institutions offering structured programs in defence and strategic studies—such as the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU). These institutions offer specialized degrees and conduct research in areas of internal security, counterterrorism, cyber warfare, and national security. The state will have to liaise strongly with the central government to have such campus in Maharashtra which would be a one stop place for academic training of the Maharashtra Police, State Intelligence Unit, military officers posted in the state and also civilian students. Currently the DDSS department of SPPU is the only place where civilians and officers study together in two year M.A. course in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Lastly, regional disparities in Maharashtra that are visible in the economic and social development are also reflected in the security studies education landscape. The western parts of the state are economically affluent and industrialised which has led to popular educational institutions getting concentrated in the western region. On the other hand the eastern part lacks economic and industrial growth including a lack of any reputed institution that offers courses in defence studies/security studies. While the RTM Nagpur University mentions about a course titled ‘military science’ under its interdisciplinary courses – the same is not available in the admission brochures. The university does not have any dedicated department or faculty to teach this course. This regional disparity can be bridged by opening up dedicate departments teaching the subject in the state or by opening up a RRU/NFFSU/CU in this part of the state as mentioned before. It must be emphasised that the very nature of this course is different from international relations and political science which would have to be kept in mind while opening up new places – including the issue of faculty recruitment.
The state government as well as social elites of the state will have to put in extra efforts to popularise the culture of think tanks and research companies working in security studies, intelligence analysis, geopolitical and risk analysis domains etc. so as to cater for employment opportunities for students passing out with a degree in defence and strategic studies. One important way to do this could be the inclusion of a separate paper on this subject in the state civil services exams. This step will not only popularise the subject but also encourage its outreach, serious study and public awareness apart from creating a pool of civilian experts in security studies.
IDefence studies should be introduced as a structured subject at the school and college levels in Maharashtra. At the school level, this could begin with modules on disaster management, border and internal security basics, first responder behaviour, and cybersecurity hygiene. Importantly, these lessons should be made accessible in Marathi to ensure inclusivity across linguistic lines. At the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, there is potential to build electives or core modules on India’s strategic environment, defence technology, intelligence studies, military history, and geopolitics. The state has many law colleges and other reputed institutions like IITs and IIM where a optional course in defence studies can act as a strong force multiplier and career booster for the students. Additionally, people interested in studying the subject but who are unable to do a full time course can be given part time diploma courses. The DDSS SPPU and Fergusson College had good arrangements for such courses but had to be wind down due to lack of funds and full time faculties.
Policy Recommendations
To mainstream national security education in Maharashtra, the following measures can be considered:
- Curriculum Integration: Include age-appropriate national security modules in school syllabi, especially from Classes 6 to 12, under civics, social studies, and general knowledge.
- Higher Education Reform: Encourage universities to launch interdisciplinary programs in national and internal security studies. Offer scholarships for students interested in research on topics like cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and border management.
- Marathi Language Outreach: Develop textbooks, explainer videos, and documentaries in Marathi to reach non-English-speaking students and educators, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
- Dedicated Institutions: Establish a state-level university or specialized research centre focused on national security and strategic studies, with consistent faculty recruitment, infrastructure, and funding.
- Public Engagement Campaigns: Conduct state-sponsored campaigns to build awareness of national security challenges and the role of ordinary citizens. Develop security studies courses for working professionals and part-time learners.
- Skill-Building Initiatives: Introduce certification programs in cybersecurity, disaster response, and civil defence in partnership with institutions like the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority. MKCL/MSCIT is a good model to follow since they have courses on GIS software training and other subjects.
In a state as influential and diverse as Maharashtra, the imperative to create a security-conscious society is more pressing than ever. The traditional view that national security is the domain of soldiers and policymakers is no longer adequate. Today, threats are hybrid, diffuse, and often directed at civilian infrastructure—whether through cyberattacks, misinformation, or terror strikes.
Maharashtra’s youth, educators, policymakers, and civil society must embrace the study of national security as part of their intellectual and civic development. If Maharashtra can lead by example in mainstreaming this vital subject—and correcting the institutional void it currently suffers—it will not only strengthen the state’s own security posture but also contribute meaningfully to the strategic resilience of India as a whole.
(A detailed version of this article was featured in Mumbai edition of Tarun Bharat on 15 June 2025.)
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