A literary tradition spanning six decades — language, criticism, and the considered study of texts that have shaped modern thought.
An introduction to our history, our teaching philosophy, and the scholarly tradition we work within.
The Postgraduate Department of English, established with the College in 1966 and elevated to postgraduate level in 2005, is a cornerstone of academic excellence catering to around 4500 students. The Department is supported by a team of 16 dedicated Assistant Professors (09 Permanent, 07 Contractual) including six PhD holders.
The faculty brings extensive expertise in fields ranging from Indian, American, and Latin American Literature, to Film Studies, Women Studies, Linguistics and Greek Mythology. Faculty members are also engaged as PhD guides approved by Panjab University, Chandigarh.
In alignment with NEP-2020, the Department adopts a multidisciplinary approach at the undergraduate level, offering a well-structured curriculum that includes Ability Enhancement Courses (AEC), Discipline Specific Courses (DSC), Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC), Multi Disciplinary Courses (MDC) and Value Added Courses (VAC).
At the postgraduate level, students are offered a wide spectrum of subjects such as Literary Theory and Criticism, Literary Movements, British and American Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Shakespearean Studies, Research Methodology, and Dissertation Writing. Notably, it is the only College in the city to offer Writings from Punjab as an optional paper in the MA English curriculum — an initiative that fosters native learning and aligns with the College’s best practice of cultural preservation.
Educators and researchers who shape the academic life of the department.
A team of 16 dedicated Assistant Professors — 09 Permanent and 07 Contractual — including six PhD holders, led by Ms Gursheek Kaur (Head of the PG Department of English). Specialisations span Indian, American and Latin American Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Film Studies, Women Studies, Linguistics, Greek Mythology, Cultural Studies, and Writings from Punjab.
Undergraduate, postgraduate and add-on courses offered by the department.
A comprehensive honours programme in alignment with NEP-2020 covering English language, literature and criticism through Discipline Specific Courses (DSC), Multidisciplinary Courses (MDC), Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC), Value Added Courses (VAC) and Ability Enhancement Courses (AEC) — designed to develop practical, professional and analytical skills.
English literature and language as an elective within the B.A. programme — covering core areas of English literature and criticism alongside multidisciplinary subjects from other disciplines.
Two-year postgraduate programme covering Literary Movements, Approaches to Literary Criticism, British Literature, Critical Theory, Shakespeare, Postcolonial Literatures, American Literature and Research Methods. Notably, the College is the only one in the city to offer Writings from Punjab as an optional paper. Includes Dissertation Work and Skill Enhancement courses focusing on Creative Writing and Soft Skills.
Develops the four essential language skills — Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing — offered to students across disciplines. Strengthens communication abilities, interpersonal skills and overall language proficiency for academic, professional and social interactions.
Provides practical exposure to media, journalism and communication studies — covering reporting, editing, media writing, public communication and digital media — opening diverse career opportunities in journalism and mass communication.
Lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips and student-led work that extend learning beyond the classroom.
The Department begins each academic session with an Orientation Programme for newly admitted MA students to familiarise them with the academic environment, departmental activities and opportunities for holistic development. The Department also conducts the Annual Bridge Course for students of MA English, BA Elective English and BA English Honours to acquaint them with the History of English Literature and Literary Theory while preparing them for competitive examinations such as UGC-NET.
The Department actively promotes literary and creative engagement through Autumn Muse, the Annual Inter-College Literary Fest held in the College, which witnesses enthusiastic participation from students across various colleges in Chandigarh. The fest includes competitions such as Debate, Elocution, Poetry Recitation, Poetry Writing, Essay Writing and Short Story Writing.
The newly established Film Club, Manzar, organised a screening of the short film Anukul by Satyajit Ray followed by an interactive discussion on the film’s themes and interpretations.
Students attended theatre performances of Kaal Roopam and Roshoman at Tagore Theatre during the 6th Tricity Theatre Festival organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration. They also visited The Sikh Empire Exhibition at Lake Club, Chandigarh organised by Punjab Digital Library (PDL), and the photo exhibition Life Through the Local Lens organised by AIM Gallery in collaboration with Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi at the CLKA Gallery, Sector 17.
Students participated in an interactive session “Poetry Without Apology” where they held a discussion with established poets Akhil Katyal, Amalanjyoti Goswami and Ranu Uniyal at The Wise Owl Literary Awards held at Foothills Clubhouse, New Chandigarh.
The Department organised an educational tour to Kasauli for the Khushwant Singh Lit Fest 2025 titled “Resilience and Renewal”, which exposed students to renowned writers, literary discussions and contemporary perspectives in literature and culture.
The Department encouraged students to participate in inter-college competitions and extension activities, with notable success in literary and creative events such as Literary Blossoms (MCM DAV College), Literary Odyssey (PGGCG-11), and Eunoia (Panjab University, Chandigarh). Students secured prizes in Literary Quiz, Open Mic Recitation, Short Story Writing, Sher-o-Shayari and Short Film Making.
The Department organised an expert lecture on “A Psychological Critique of Literature” by Dr Radhika Gupta and a lecture on Communication and Soft Skills. Academic enrichment was further promoted through student participation in the Translation Workshop and Creative Writing Workshops organised by the Department of English and Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Awards, recognitions, funded projects and milestones earned by faculty and students.
Harjap Kaur of MA II secured an overall 2nd Position in Panjab University End Semester Examinations held in December 2024 (M.A. I English, Semester I). She also stood as the class topper with 72.5% marks and was honoured with a Certificate of Merit from the College at the Annual Prize Distribution Day 2026.
Harjap Kaur successfully cleared the UGC-NET English examination twice in 2025 (June and December) in the PhD category, reflecting her strong academic commitment and scholarly potential.
6 students participated in “Literary Blossoms” at MCM DAV Sector 36, Chandigarh on 19 March 2026. Harjap Kaur & Sonali Gandhi — 2nd position in Quiz & Quest; Hitakshi — 2nd position in Twist the Tail of a Tale; Vishesh Rana — 2nd position in Echoes of Expression.
3 students participated in “EUNOIA” held at the Department of English and Cultural Studies, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh from 18 to 19 March 2026. Harjap Kaur & Sonali Gandhi secured 2nd position in Quiz & Quest.
9 students participated in “Literary Odyssey” held at PGGC Sector 11, Chandigarh on 16 March 2026. Harjap Kaur & Sonali Gandhi — 1st position in Quiz; Hitakshi — 1st position in Poetry Recitation; Arshdeep Kaur — 3rd position in Short Film Review.
Faculty members are engaged as PhD guides approved by Panjab University, Chandigarh — with six PhD holders on the team contributing to research supervision in literature, linguistics, gender studies and cultural studies.
Dr Shelly Narang was recently awarded the IUC-UGC Associateship at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla — a prestigious recognition for her contributions to South Asian Literature, Gender Studies and Linguistics.
The College is the only one in the city to offer Writings from Punjab as an optional paper in the M.A. English curriculum — an initiative that fosters native learning and aligns with the College’s best practice of cultural preservation.
Laboratories, classrooms, libraries and learning resources that support our academic work.
A dedicated departmental room which doubles as a staff room, equipped with a Library and a Wi-Fi enabled Computer for academic reference, research and faculty preparation.
An exclusive postgraduate classroom equipped with audio-visual smart-board facilities — for screening films, recordings, presentations and interactive teaching of literature and critical theory.
A second exclusive classroom for the postgraduate section — supporting dialogical teaching, close reading sessions and seminar-style discussions for M.A. English students.
A reference collection of literature, criticism and journals supporting both teaching and research — housed within the departmental room for easy access by students and faculty.
Papers, books, chapters and research projects authored by faculty. Click any entry to open the full PDF.
Office, email, phone, and Head-of-Department details.
