The School of International Studies at 70: An Institutional Journey Through a Personal Lens

This article traces the 70-year intellectual and institutional journey of the School of International Studies, now part of Jawaharlal Nehru University, through both analytical and personal lenses. It maps the School’s evolution across the decades—from its roots in independent India’s diplomatic ambitions to its emergence as a premier centre for international relations and area studies scholarship. Highlighting key pioneering figures, thematic breakthroughs and institutional challenges, the article blends historical narrative with reflective commentary. It draws on the author’s direct experiences within the School and broader engagement with India’s foreign policy ecosystem. The work contributes to understanding how international studies in India has been shaped by its institutional context and has, in turn, shaped policy, theory and pedagogy in India and beyond.