The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) and the Indian Political Science Association (IPSA) jointly organized the 62nd All India Political Science Conference and an international conference on “We the People of Bharat” on 27th and 29th December 2025.
Speaking at the Inaugural Session, Professor Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor (I/c), KISS-DU said “it is an honour to host so many Vice Chancellors in KISS and KIIT premises”. He briefed the participants about the recent achievements of KISS-DU in national and international rankings. Professor Singh shared in detail the performance of the University in THE Impact Rankings, IIRF, and in R World Rankings. He added that we are proud that KISS-DU was accredited with ‘A’ grade by NAAC in its first cycle. It’s a unique institution which is exclusively for indigenous students and is fully free. He also highlighted the stellar achievements of KIIT-DU in national and international rankings and accreditation including NAAC and NBA.
In his address, Professor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, General Secretary and Treasurer of IPSA and former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Central University presented the report of the Association. He expressed gratitude to all the attendees who have contributed to the growth and development of IPSA. Following the deliberation by Professor Sharma, various publications were unveiled on the occasion.
Professor Jagadish K. Patnaik, Guest of Honour in his deliberation set the tone of the conference and shared his reflections of the chosen theme. He stressed on the need for discourses on new Political Science in new Bharat. Speaking in turn, Professor Santanu Kumar Swain, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University, Guest of Honour, spoke about the scholarly excellence of Political Science in India and how the discipline should continue to offer balanced views. He expressed the need to revisit indigenous traditions and the role of policy making in this regard. Professor Sanjay Srivastav, Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Central University emphasized on the role of higher education in making India as a Vishwa Guru. He underlined the fact that there is a need for blending ancient knowledge system and internationalization. Research in Political Science should contribute to policy making, he added.
Professor Manoj Dixit, President, IPSA and Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, in his Presidential Address said that the vision of 2047 should not be a dream but a reality and that is how the goal of Viksit Bharat is going to be achieved. He shared his ideas of India’s journey towards viksit democracy and while drawing the road map for the future he shared his reflections on the next millennia of development. The IPSA National Awards were bestowed upon eminent academicians, budding faculty members and emerging researchers in the field of Political Science. Professor Kashi Nath Jena, Pro Vice Chancellor, KISS-DU proposed the Vote of Thanks. Among others, the Inaugural Session was also graced by Professor Raka Arya, Vice President, IPSA, and Professor Soma Bhowmick, Vice Chancellor, William Carey University, Meghalaya.
A Workshop on IKS was organized on 26th December 2025 as a part of the IPSA Pre-Conference. The two-day conference witnessed Keynote Sessions on We the People of Bharat; Plenary Sessions on Politics of Political Science; Professor Koushal Kishor Mishra Memorial Lecture; IPSA Symposium on We the People of Bharat; Special Addresses; IPSA Symposium on We the People of Bharat and Symposium on Indian Knowledge System. Thirty-Eight parallel panels and an overwhelming participation from over one thousand four hundred participants and paper presenters from all over India were the key highlights of the day.
Addressing the Valedictory Programme as the Chief Guest, Professor Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder KISS, KIIT and KIMS expressed his happiness in hosting the 62nd All India Political Science Conference on the soil of Odisha. He added that we have hosted many national and international conferences like the Indian Social Science Congress, World Congress of Poets and the World Anthropology Congress, however the Indian Political Science Conference is a maiden attempt. “I am impressed by the theme of the conference”, Professor Samanta added. Drawing reference from the theme “We the People of Bharat” he urged the audience to be a good human being and to inculcate the quality of Humanity. He stressed that the theme should resonate in actions of everyone. In an endeavour to inspire the participants, Professor Samanta shared his life’s journey to conclude with.
Speaking earlier, Professor Jitendra Sahoo, Head of Political Science Department, Gaur Banga University in his Welcome Address applauded the achievements and accolades of KIIT and KISS and thanked Professor Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder, KISS, KIIT and KIMS. He concluded by sharing the rationale behind choosing the “We the People of Bharat” as the theme of this year’s conference. Professor Manoj Dixit, President IPSA and Vice Chancellor Ganga Singh University said that the 62nd All India Political Science Conference witnessed research papers on forty topics. Professor Dixit was impressed by the intellectual contributions towards “We the People of Bharat”. He concluded by thanking KIIT and KISS for the hospitality extended during the conference. Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS-DU in his address cited references from the life of Hon’ble Founder and how he is the epitome of humanity and values. Dr. Routray said that we should all learn from him. In her Special Address, Professor Geetanjali Dash, Vice Chancellor, Berhampur University said that KIIT and KISS have created a benchmark in hosting the conference. She inspired the research scholars by urging them to work on Indian Knowledge System, Viksit Bharat and Vishwa Guru and motivated them to make Political Science relevant by getting involved in policy making and community driven activities.
On the occasion, the Indian Political Science Association bestowed the prestigious IPSA National Thankfulness Award 2025 and conferred the Honorary Life Membership of IPSA upon Hon’ble Founder KISS, KIIT and KIMS, Professor Achyuta Samanta.
Professor Sanjeev Sharma, General Secretary and Treasurer, Indian Political Science Association thanked all the delegations, resource persons, members of the organizing committee, and paper presenters.
