Amity Institute of Defence & Strategic Studies (AIDSS) is a unique institution offering multidisciplinary Master’s and Ph.D. courses in Defence & Strategic Studies. The programmes integrate new emerging areas and contemporary discourses in security, strategy, policy and technology with a focus on regional, national and global levels of analysis. With India’s rising status and increasing role in the emerging world order, academic programmes of the institute emphasise on Indo-centricity.
The institution offers courses covering various facets of policing, internal security, geo-politics and political economy within the overarching framework of constitutional and international law. The students are also exposed to aviation law/ maritime law/ laws related to terrorism as well as nuclear issues. The academic programmes of the institution upgrade Defence & Strategic Studies in India by bridging the gap between technology and traditionally offered courses in the field. It includes introducing Industry 4.0 and its implications on security and strategy as an essential component in all the mandatory as well as elective courses in the curriculum.
Leading experts, as guest/visiting faculty, in security, strategic and technology domains regularly impart their experience and wisdom to the students for handling real-life situations. Taking cognisance of the diverse backgrounds (nationality as well as previous specialisation) of the students, the institution offers appropriate courses and equips them with a problem-solving and state-centric multidisciplinary approach to comprehend complex geo-political challenges.
The institute aims to produce scholars and professionals with insights of Indian ethos to be aware and responsible members of the national as well as global security & strategic community. Students in different programmes of the institution learn to face challenges of research, civil services (foreign/ home/ defence/ police and paramilitary), teaching in higher education institutions (HEI), regional & international organisations, print & electronic media, defence manufacturing, intelligence agencies, etc. Students, with training and expertise in the fields concerned, develop an ability to comprehend the strategic and geo-political dimensions of India’s relations with major powers, states in the immediate and extended neighbourhood with a unique multidisciplinary approach.
The institute collaborates with several national and international agencies for research, recruitment and internships that provide practical training to the students.
Multidisciplinarity suitable for students from various streams:
The programme encourages students from diverse streams undertaking courses on Defence & Strategic Studies. A student from Material/ Life Sciences or Engineering background can study the domain of Foreign / Defence / Home ministries from a Strategic, Public Policy or International Studies perspective. A Social Science student can specialise in courses related to security and strategic implications of Science & Technology such as Cybernetics/ Robotics/ Artificial Intelligence within the framework of Industry 4.0. Similarly, students with Law, Commerce and Management backgrounds can pursue various advanced level courses from a strategic dimension. They can also opt for courses on Defence Offsets/ Company Laws/ Laws related to Compensation/ Higher Defence Management with a security and strategic dimension.
Industry 4.0 component of the programme:
Drone Technologies/ Data Analytics / Machine Learning/ DNA technologies in identifying crimes related to Terrorism are part of different modules in the courses offered. Courses related to traditional areas like Internal Security and Border Management also include components from Industry 4.0 as technology is heavily infused in patrolling and surveillance related to management of land borders and maritime/ coastal boundaries.
Key Features of AIDSS Academic Curriculum:
Foreign Language:
Foreign languages are offered in the first two semesters of the Master’s Programme. The purpose of foreign language teaching is to enhance the technical vocabulary and capability of the students. Understanding a nation’s medium of communication is an integral part of studying its security concerns and strategic culture.
Study Abroad Program (SAP):
The Study Abroad Programme (SAP) enables students to pursue part of their Master’s Programme in a foreign university. It could be in Amity Universities located in USA, Europe, People’s Republic of China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore or Central Asian Republics.
