Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies

About the centre

The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) at KIIT Deemed to be University is a multidisciplinary hub for advanced research, training and policy advocacy on national and international security issues. The Centre aims to promote scholarly excellence, strategic thinking and international understanding through collaboration with academia, industry, government and defence institutions.

12+

Research Area

25+

Experts Faculty

15+

Global partner

50+

Training Program

Objective

Strengthening study and research

Enhancing academic exploration in security, building a scholarly base for defence and strategic studies at KIIT.

Monitoring and analysing discourse

Evaluating theoretical discussions and policies as they develop, keeping the Centre’s research current and relevant.

Promoting international understanding

Fostering collaboration among scholars and institutions across India and abroad.

Publications

Scholarship in print

1

Authored book

1

Patent

45+

Scopus-indexed articles, incl. book chapters

8

Authored book

GOALS

SHORT-TERM GOALS

  • Organising Various Training Programmes, for instance

  • Regular Teacher Training Programmes

  • Workshops for research guides and Research Scholars; and Induction Courses of different durations (1 week to 4 weeks) for young academics and researchers

  • Publication of a Peer-Reviewed Journal.

LONG-TERM GOALS

  • Legal Implications of Defence and Strategic studies

  • Law and Diplomacy; Citizens’ safety in foreign countries; National security and Challenges; National  sovereignty- Protecting the border, operational mechanism, LOC, LAOC; National Security in use

  • P.G. Diploma/ Certificate Course in Defence and Strategic Studies.

  • Executive Development Program.

Program or Courses

DOCTORAL PROGRAMME

Multi-disciplinary Doctoral Programmes (in Defence and Strategic Studies, International Relations and other related areas).

LAW TEACHERS TRAINING

Two Weeks Law Teachers Training in Defence and Strategic Studies, especially in the light of the Bar Council of India’s direction to introduce Defence and Strategic Studies as a Paper in the Five Year Integrated  Law Degree Programme.

CERTIFICATE COURSE

Three months Certificate Course in Defence and Strategic Studies.

EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME

To institute Chairs in various fields to attract renowned academics with rich experience and expertise in India and abroad.

Research areas, research scope, and available facilities

  • Legal Implications of Defence and Strategic studies
  • Law and Diplomacy
  • Citizens’ safety in foreign countries
  • National security issues and Challenges
  • National  sovereignty- Protecting the border, operational mechanism
  • Territorial waters
  • Civil service- National Security

Glimpses of Inauguration Ceremony of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies
Works in Progress

  • Proposal for International Conference already submitted.
  • Sensitisation and Awareness lecture series for the officials for Air Defence College on various areas, a few of which are stated hereunder:
  • Cyber-security concerns relating to Defence
  • Law of  the Sea
  • International Relations
  • Maritime Security
  • Identification of both internal and external resource persons for the lecture series is in progress.
  • MOU in consideration with the Security Studies, Hyderabad

Scope of works

(As a faculty, Ph.D. scholar, post doc scholar, Industry or collaborative Industry)

The Centre serves as a hub for advanced research, training, and policy advocacy in multidisciplinary research. The scope of work varies based on the roles of faculty members, Ph.D. scholars, postdoctoral researchers, industry professionals, and collaborative industry partners.

Thematic Areas of Focus

  • Defence and Security Law: Legal architecture of armed forces, laws of armed conflict, military justice, and national security legislation.
  • Cyber and Information Warfare: Legal, ethical, and strategic implications of cyber threats and AI-enabled warfare.
  • Strategic and Foreign Policy Studies: Comparative analysis of India’s strategic partnerships and geopolitical positioning.
  • Maritime and Space Security: Legal and strategic dimensions of India’s maritime doctrine and outer space defence strategies.
  • Counterterrorism and Internal Security: Legal responses to insurgency, terrorism financing, and cross-border threats.
  • Disaster and Environmental Security: Strategic preparedness in the face of climate change-induced conflict and natural calamities.

Detailed Future Plans

  • Establishment of a Defence & Strategy Lecture Series inviting senior defence officers, strategic analysts, and diplomats.
  • Certificate in Defence Law and Policy: Practical knowledge of India’s security and strategic policy.
  • Diploma in Cyber Law and Warfare: Insights into legal implications of modern warfare technologies.
  • Creation of a Student Research Forum and internship opportunities with defence think tanks like IDSA, CLAWS (Center for Land Warfare Studies).
  • Development of simulation exercises, such as war games, moot courts on laws of armed conflict, and policy drafting competitions.
  • Initiating collaborations with institutions like DRDO, Indian Army Training Commands, and defence universities for field engagement and joint research.

Advisors and Team Members

Chief Advisor

Prof. N.L. Mitra

Prof. N.L. Mitra, the guiding force behind KIIT School of Law, has transformed legal education in India through his visionary leadership and scholarly excellence. As our Former Chancellor and Chairman of the National Advisory Board, his continued mentorship is a source of pride and inspiration for the entire KIIT Law community.

Advisors

Prof. Raju K.D
Pro –VC, School of Law, KIIT DU
Prof. Rose Varghese
Senior Professor, School of Law, KIIT DU
Prof. Rajan Varghese
Senior Professor, School of Law, KIIT DU
Dr. Debraj Pradhan
Former Ambassador, DG IRO, KIIT DU
Maj. Gen. Nilendra Kumar

Major General Nilendra Kumar, AVSM, VSM, is a pioneering force in military and legal academia, having founded the Lex Consilium Foundation and the Akhil Bhartiya Vidhi Pradhyapak Sangam. With a distinguished career as the former Judge Advocate General of the Indian Army and a prolific legal scholar, he continues to shape legal thought and policy across national and international platforms.

Maj. Gen. Atanu Kumar Pattnaik

Major General (Dr) Atanu Kumar Pattnaik, SM & Bar, is a decorated military leader and strategic thinker whose contributions span combat, diplomacy, intelligence, and digital transformation in the Indian Army. A Ph.D. in Sociology and former UN Chief Humanitarian Officer, his scholarship and service continue to enrich India’s security and academic discourse.

Brig. L.C. Pattnayak

Brig (Dr) L.C. Patnaik is a distinguished soldier-scholar with a Ph.D. in Defence and Strategic Studies, blending operational excellence with academic depth. With master’s degrees in Psychology, Defence Studies, Business Administration, and International Relations, he embodies a rare fusion of military acumen and intellectual versatility.

Prof. Jugal Kishore Mishra

Prof. Jugal Kishore Mishra, an eminent educationist and institutional leader, serves as Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell at KISS-DU. As Chair Professor of the prestigious Madhusudan Das and Biju Patnaik Research Chairs, he fosters impactful interdisciplinary scholarship and academic innovation.

Prof. Ashok Kumar Sar

Prof. Ashok Kumar Sar is a seasoned academic and industry expert with over two decades of experience in strategic management, business ethics, and sustainability at KIIT School of Management. A former marketing head at BPCL and a Ph.D. from Utkal University, he blends corporate acumen with scholarly excellence in business education.

Prof. Sarbeswar Mohanty

Prof. Sarbeswar Mohanty, a distinguished SPJIMR alumnus and visionary business leader, brings over 35 years of illustrious leadership across India’s premier corporates in FMCG, energy, and infrastructure. Now a beacon of industry-academia synergy at KIIT School of Management, he imparts transformative insights through strategic mentorship and thought leadership.

Team Members

Co-Convenors

Dr. Jinia Kundu
Prof. Madhuri Melee

Team Members

Dr. Sudipta De Sarkar
Dr. Parimita Dash
Dr. Ramesh Ch. Sethi
Dr. Soumya Mohapatra
Dr. Tulishree Pradhan

Prof. Prateek Mishra
Prof. Sundar Athreya H.
Prof. Susmita P. Mishra
Prof. Rishi Dev
Prof. Tulip Suman
Ms. Suman Mohanty