The Department of Psychology, Patna University, Patna, is among the oldest centers of research and teaching in Psychology in the country. Established in 1947, after bifurcation of the Department of Psychology, this department has produced many eminent scholars of national and international repute who have occupied high positions in academia, judiciary and bureaucracy. Professor M.Z. Abdin was the founder Head of this department. Dr Durganand Sinha, known as the father of Rural Psychology, Dr S.M. Mohsin, known as the pioneer of Experimental Psychology in Eastern India. Dr A.K. Srivastava, and Dr Janak Pandey, initiated Experimental Social Psychology and the latter was the first vice Chancellor of the first Central University in Bihar. Dr Shamshad Hussain, a student and teacher of this department, was the Chairman, Bihar State University Service Commission and later, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda Open University and Magadh University, Bihar. Mr Anil Kumar Sinha (IPS), a former student of this department, retired as Director, CBI. Late Justice Sheema Ali Khan of Patna High Court, was also a former Student of this department. Presently, this department, apart from Masters Degree course in Psychology, conducts a self-financing Diploma in Human Resource Development. This PGDHRD course was started in 2003 and has been able to provide employment to hundreds to students till date. The department also carries out extracurricular activities and social awareness programmes such as short-speech competitions, debates, “Clean Ganga” Awareness Programme etc. from time to time.

First Head: Prof M. Z. Abdin

Present Head: Dr. Iftekhar Hossain