The above-quoted verse very aptly indicates the value of finer sensibilities in one’s life. Hence, the education which only helps us grow mechanically, without sensitivity to human feelings and problems, is not only inappropriate but also inadequate and misguided.

Probably this thinking may have led to the idea of having a strong input of humanities and social sciences alongside the study of engineering and technology. The humanities and social sciences component acts like a vital cog in the engineering and technology institutions as it keeps the finer sensibilities and social responsibilities alive in engineers paving the way for a composite, sustainable and desirable development which venerates the environment as well as human sensitivity while promoting excellence in science and technology.

Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Roorkee, established in the year 1966 with a vision to integrate science and technology with human values and social understanding, has taken giant strides by contributing significantly to the making of engineers and technocrats who are alive to and aware of their role in nation building and responsibilities towards mankind.

By imparting skill-based courses in Economics, English, Psychology and Sociology, the department endeavours to form well-rounded individuals. It targets both the timely and timeless needs of the students as it fills them with the much-needed job-ready skills and values that make them desirable as individuals. The Department has grown many-folds since its inception.

Apart from offering core courses in all its broad areas, the department also offers some optional and evening courses to the students of the institute. In the year 2016, the department started a two-year M.Sc. programme in Economics which has got a very enthusiastic response. Starting 2021, the department offers a five year BS-MS (Economics) programme with an exit option at the end of fourth year.

The department has a very strong research unit comprising over 100 students working in diverse areas of their core competencies as well as in the interdisciplinary domains. The department has world class faculty who have been contributing their research to renowned national and international journals and have significant linkages to the industry and other sister institutions.

It has a distinguished record in both teaching and research as many of the faculty members have been conferred with prestigious awards at national and international levels. Several faculty members serve on the editorial boards of national and international journals, as office bearers in boards and associations, review articles for journals on a regular basis, and organize symposia, conferences, workshops and short-term courses apart from offering NPTEL courses.

The department has excellent infrastructural support for carrying out quality research as it is equipped with state of the art Communication Research and Training Laboratory, a Psychology Laboratory, a Data Analytics Hub, and a Reading Room stocked with books from various disciplines. I invite all of you to join this joyful academic ride together and enrich and get enriched by the meaningful academic exchanges.