School of Studies in Physics and Astrophysics
The department of Physics was established in
the year 1972 under the dynamic leadership of Late Prof. Suresh
Chandra, an eminent Materials Scientist and founder head of the department;
Late Prof. R. K. Thakur, a renowned Astrophysicist; Late Dr. S. Guha, a
renowned Plasma Physicist. The department was renamed as School of
Studies in Physics & Astrophysics in the year 2009. Since its inception,
the department has been imparting quality education at PG level and advanced
research in front line areas of Physics with major focus on Solid
State/Condensed Matter Physics/Materials Science and Astronomy &
Astrophysics (A&A), so that students of this region get academically
benefited at par with any leading National/International institutions. It is
worth mentioning that Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University is one amongst only few
Indian Universities, and the one in the new state of Chhattisgarh, where
teaching and research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A) is being carried
out in the Physics Department. In spite of several financial constraints, basic
infrastructural facilities for advance level research in the above mentioned
front line areas have been created. This helps the students of this department
to get a wide exposure to the research activities at par with
National/International level. The sincere and dedicated efforts of the faculty
members over the years played key role in creating conducive atmosphere for the
quality education and research in Physics. The students passed out from this
department made their identities recognized by obtaining distinctive positions
at National as well as International arenas. This has subsequently earned a
high level of academic reputation worldwide. The academic achievements of SoS
in Physics & Astrophysics could very well be adjudged in terms of
publications in research journals of International/National repute and the
prestigious/distinctive positions acquired by alumni at various
International/National level. The department was
recognized as Center of Excellence (1987-1992) by M.P. Uchcha Shiksha Anudan
Ayog, Bhopal.
Besides, obtaining substantial financial grants from different National
funding agencies through research proposals submitted by individual faculty
member, department has been awarded DST support under FIST program for two
levels i.e. for the duration: 2003 to 2008 with the grant of rupees 35 lac; 2013
to 2018 with grant of rupees 97 lac.
The
second DST FIST program has been approved to initiate two-semester
specialization course on Physics
of Nanomaterials for M.Sc
student. This has been commenced from the academic session 2016-2017.
In
recognition of the significant contributions made by this department in the
field of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Inter?University Center for Astronomy
and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune established its IUCAA Resource Center (IRC)
since 1999 for the promotion of teaching and research in A&A in this region.