Maharashtra Govt to Establish Ambedkar Academic Chair at London School of Economics

Mumbai, 30th April 2026: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of a dedicated academic chair in the name of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), along with a scholarship programme for doctoral studies. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The initiative aims to promote Dr Ambedkar’s legacy at the global level by advancing research on social justice, constitutional democracy, economic equality and human rights. The proposed chair will support interdisciplinary studies in areas such as constitutional law and democracy, social equity, economic redistribution policies, labour rights, federalism, public finance and inclusive governance.

According to officials, the chair will function as a global research hub focusing on constitutional studies, public policy and social justice. It will also host annual lectures, seminars and academic programmes, while encouraging publications and collaborations between Indian and international institutions.

The Maharashtra government will provide a one-time grant of £30 million (approximately ₹37.13 crore) for establishing the chair. In the first 10 years, the position will be filled from among existing faculty members at the institution. Subsequently, it will be opened for international recruitment.

The Cabinet also approved 10 PhD scholarships to be jointly offered by LSE, the Maharashtra government and the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI). Each doctoral programme will have a duration of four years.

The first scholarship cycle will begin in the academic year 2027–28, followed by a second cycle in 2029–30. Applications will be screened by a selection committee at LSE. Candidates from the Scheduled Caste category in Maharashtra will be required to indicate their interest in the scheme while applying, and their applications will be processed through relevant departments.

The estimated cost per student is £191,317 (around ₹2.36 crore), of which 50 per cent will be borne by LSE and the remaining by the state government and BARTI. For the first batch, LSE will contribute approximately ₹1.18 crore per student.

Officials said a memorandum of understanding will be signed between BARTI and LSE to implement the scholarship programme. The Cabinet has granted approval for signing the agreement and completing necessary formalities.

The government said the initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening Dr Ambedkar’s intellectual legacy globally and expanding opportunities for advanced research in key areas of governance and social justice.