Appeal for Introduction of Psychology as a Major Subject in Educational Institutions of Arunachal Pradesh
- Itanagar 21st March, 2025 :: All Arunachal Pradesh Psychological Association -

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Meeting with Commissioner Education

The Hon'ble Minister of Education Govt of Arunachal Pradesh
Civil secretariat Itanagar

Subject: Urgent Appeal for Introduction of Psychology as a Major Subject in Educational Institutions of Arunachal Pradesh

Sir,

The All Arunachal Pradesh Psychological Association (AAPPA) was established in 2020 with the mission of promoting mental health awareness and well-being in Arunachal Pradesh. Alongside providing counselling services, AAPPA has been actively conducting out-reach programs to support student mental health by fostering a positive educational environment in academic institutions through initiatives such as suicide prevention, exam-related stress management programs and memory retention techniques.

With reference to our petition dated 13/07/2022, the All Arunachal Pradesh Psychological Association (AAPPA) respectfully seeks your esteemed attention to the pressing need for the introduction of Psychology as a major subject in the educational institutions of Arunachal Pradesh. We urge your office to take necessary steps to introduce psychology at the Senior Secondary level, Colleges, and Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat for the holistic development of students and to create employment opportunities for qualified but unemployed youth.

It is a matter of concern that, despite its growing significance, Psychology has not yet been introduced in our state’s educational institutions, while sister disciplines like Sociology and Anthropology have long been part of the curriculum. Other disciplines, such as Mass Communication, were recently introduced in Dera Natung Government College, Itanagar, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat and Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, in response to student demand. However, despite a 2024 request for psychology courses in these colleges, no action has been taken.

Although Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) introduced a Master’s program in Psychology in 2017 (with over 150 post graduates, 10 NET/JRF qualified students), affiliated colleges across Arunachal Pradesh still do not offer psychology at the undergraduate level. This creates a major gap in higher education, forcing students to leave the state to pursue psychology degrees elsewhere. This is in stark contrast to neighbouring states like Assam, where psychology is widely available and recently included in the State- Level Eligibility Test (SLET), opening up career opportunities in research and teaching.

Additionally, Psychology is an optional subject in the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) examinations, yet students from Arunachal Pradesh lack the opportunity to obtain a psychology degree within the state. This disparity puts them at a disadvantage compared to aspirants from other states who have access to formal psychology education.

Furthermore, several national policies and initiatives highlight the importance of psychology in education, mental health, and career development:

1. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Emphasizes multidisciplinary education, skill-based learning, and mental health awareness, all of which psychology directly contributes to.

2. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan & Manodarpan Program: Stress the importance of mental health services and counselling support in schools and colleges, necessitating the availability of trained professionals in the state.

3. University Grants Commission (UGC), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS): Recognize psychology as a crucial subject, offering it at the senior secondary level. However, due to the absence of psychology degrees in Arunachal Pradesh, students here cannot qualify for Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) psychology jobs in government schools.

Many students in Arunachal Pradesh belong to economically backward sections, and the absence of psychology courses within the state makes higher education in this field inaccessible for many. Establishing psychology programs in local institutions would provide affordable education opportunities while also meeting the state’s need for skilled professionals.

Introducing psychology courses would also create significant employment opportunities for trained professionals who can contribute as school counsellors, mental health professionals, educators, researchers, and forensic psychologists, addressing the current shortage of a qualified workforce in Arunachal Pradesh.

Beyond benefiting students, the introduction of psychology would also support various government departments, including:
o Health & Family Welfare: Clinical psychologists and counsellors for hospitals and mental health initiatives.
o Women & Child Development: Addressing psychological issues like domestic violence, trauma, and abuse.
o Sports & Youth Affairs: Training sports psychologists and wellness coaches.
o Home Affairs (Police & Security Forces): Recruiting forensic and criminal psychologists.
o Disaster Management & Rehabilitation: Psychological support for disaster victims and trauma counselling.
o Police Personnel, Juvenile Homes & Shelters: Providing psychological support and rehabilitation services.

We, therefore, earnestly request your kind intervention to facilitate:

1. The introduction of a Psychology Department in all colleges affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University. Especially in colleges such as Dera Natung Govt. College, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat and Doimukh Govt. College being the oldest in the state.

2. The introduction of a Psychology Department at Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat.

3. The creation and recruitment of an adequate number of faculty positions (Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors) in Psychology Departments.

We are confident that under your visionary leadership, the Department of Education will prioritize this crucial academic reform. The timely introduction of psychology courses will not only enhance the quality of education and mental health services in Arunachal Pradesh but also generate meaningful employment opportunities for qualified psychology graduates. We submit this representation with the firm belief that your esteemed office will take immediate steps to implement these much-needed changes for the benefit of students, educators, and society at large.

Thank you.

Dr. Leeyir Ete
Chairperson (AAPPA)

Dr. Tuyir Riba
Education secretary (AAPPA)

Meeting with Education Minister

Copy to: 1) The Commissioner to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
2) The Commissioner (Education) Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
3) The Vice Chancellor, Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat.
4) The Local Dailies (Newspapers) of Itanagar, for kind information.
5) The All Arunachal Pradesh Students union, for information.
6) The AAPPA Office File.