The History of Psychology in India: Pioneers, First Labs, and Notable Contributions

Psychology in India has a rich and fascinating history spanning more than a century. From the establishment of the first experimental psychology lab to the emergence of clinical psychology and cross-cultural research, India has contributed significantly to the growth of this field. If you’re a student, researcher, or enthusiast exploring the development of psychology in India, this guide will walk you through key milestones, pioneering psychologists, and notable institutions.

Origins of Psychology in India

First Experimental Psychology Laboratory

The journey began in 1915–1916, when the University of Calcutta set up India’s first experimental psychology laboratory. Initially housed within the Philosophy Department, this lab marked the beginning of formal psychological research and experimentation in the country. The laboratory included state-of-the-art equipment imported from Europe and America, such as:

• Chronoscopes (to measure reaction time)

• Tachistoscopes (to study perception)

• Aesthesiometers (for sensory experiments)

This initiative laid the groundwork for establishing psychology as an academic discipline.

The First Department of Psychology in India

In 1916, the University of Calcutta launched the first independent Department of Psychology under the leadership of Dr. N. N. Sen Gupta, a pioneer of Indian experimental psychology. This was one of the earliest such departments in Asia and offered courses in:

• Experimental Psychology

• Psychophysics

• Abnormal Psychology

• Comparative Psychology

The introduction of a dedicated M.A. program in psychology positioned India prominently on the global academic map.

Expansion of Psychology Education and Research

Following Calcutta University’s pioneering efforts, psychology departments and laboratories began to emerge across India:

• 1924 – University of Mysore

  • One of the earliest institutions to introduce psychology courses in South India.

  • Established its own psychology lab.

• 1940s–1950s – Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

  • Developed psychology as a teaching and research discipline.

  • Integrated Indian philosophical concepts with modern psychology.

• 1949 – Indian Psychoanalytical Society

  • Founded by Dr. Girindrasekhar Bose, who corresponded directly with Sigmund Freud.

  • Focused on introducing psychoanalysis to India.

• 1954 – Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai

  • Began offering applied psychology programs combined with social work.

• 1954 – Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi

  • Initiated India’s earliest clinical psychology training programs.

• 1964 – National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore

  • Formed by merging the All India Institute of Mental Health with the State Mental Hospital.

  • Emerged as India’s premier center for clinical psychology and psychiatric research.

• 1971 – University of Delhi

  • Established a Department of Psychology that quickly became a leader in postgraduate education and research.

Prominent Indian Psychologists and Their Contributions

India has produced many influential psychologists whose work continues to inspire generations:

Psychologist	Contribution	Period
N. N. Sen Gupta	Founded the first psychology department; led early experimental research.	1916–1940s
G. S. Bose (Girindrasekhar Bose)	Introduced psychoanalysis; developed indigenous theories of the unconscious.	1920s–1950s
Durganand Sinha	Pioneered cross-cultural psychology and community mental health research.	1960s–1990s
J. P. Das	Developed the PASS Theory of Intelligence; cognitive assessment innovations.	1970s–present
K. Ramakrishna Rao	Integrated Indian philosophy and psychology; parapsychology research.	1970s–present
Usha Menon	Advanced clinical psychology practice and training at NIMHANS.	1980s–2000s
Seema Mehrotra	Developed mindfulness-based mental health interventions.	2000s–present

The History of Psychology in India: A Timeline of Milestones

Here is a quick timeline of major milestones in Indian psychology:

✅ 1915–1916 – First experimental lab established at Calcutta University

✅ 1916 – First independent Psychology Department created

✅ 1924 – Psychology introduced at University of Mysore

✅ 1949 – Indian Psychoanalytical Society founded

✅ 1954 – Clinical psychology training began at CIP Ranchi and TISS Mumbai

✅ 1964 – NIMHANS founded as India’s leading mental health institute

✅ 1971 – Psychology Department established at Delhi University

The Legacy of Indian Psychology

Psychology in India is not only defined by Western models but also by the integration of Indian philosophical thought, indigenous healing practices, and culturally sensitive research. Institutions like NIMHANS, CIP Ranchi, and TISS Mumbai continue to shape the future of clinical, counseling, and applied psychology in India.

Frequently Asked Questions About the History of Psychology in India

1. When was psychology first taught in India?

Psychology was first taught as an academic discipline in 1916 at the University of Calcutta, where the first independent Department of Psychology was established.

2. Who founded the first psychological laboratory in India?

The first psychology lab in India was founded by Dr. N. N. Sen Gupta at the University of Calcutta in 1915–1916.

3. Who is considered the father of Indian psychology?

Dr. N. N. Sen Gupta is often regarded as the father of Indian academic psychology, while Dr. Girindrasekhar Bose is recognized as the pioneer of psychoanalysis in India.

4. Which is the oldest psychology department in India?

The Department of Psychology at the University of Calcutta is the oldest, established in 1916.

5. What was the first Indian institute to offer clinical psychology training?

The Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Ranchi started formal clinical psychology training programs in the 1950s.

6. What is NIMHANS, and why is it important in Indian psychology?

NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences), Bangalore, founded in 1964, is India’s leading center for clinical psychology, psychiatric research, and mental health services.

7. Who introduced psychoanalysis in India?

Dr. Girindrasekhar Bose established the Indian Psychoanalytical Society in 1922 and corresponded directly with Sigmund Freud.

8. When was the Indian Psychoanalytical Society founded?

It was founded in 1922 in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

9. Which university in South India first offered psychology courses?

The University of Mysore began offering psychology courses and established a laboratory in 1924.

10. Who are some notable Indian psychologists in cross-cultural psychology?

Durganand Sinha was a pioneer in cross-cultural psychology and conducted extensive research on modernization and mental health.

11. Which institute integrates Indian philosophical concepts with psychology?

Many researchers, including K. Ramakrishna Rao, have worked on integrating Indian philosophy into psychology, especially at Andhra University and NIMHANS.

12. What is the PASS theory of intelligence, and who developed it?

The PASS Theory of Intelligence (Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive processing) was developed by Dr. J. P. Das, an eminent Indian psychologist.

13. When was the Department of Psychology at Delhi University established?

The Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, was established in 1971.

14. Which Indian psychologist is known for work in mindfulness-based mental health interventions?

Dr. Seema Mehrotra has contributed significantly to developing mindfulness interventions and community mental health research.

15. How has psychology in India combined Western and indigenous approaches?

Psychology in India has evolved by integrating Western scientific methods (like experimental and clinical psychology) with Indian philosophical traditions, cultural practices, and community-oriented perspectives. This unique blend makes Indian psychology distinctive and culturally relevant.