The Department of Physics is one of the oldest and the largest departments of the college that was established in 1959 with 5 faculty members and one laboratory in the Anand Parbat building. At that time, B.Sc. (General) was the only program offered by the department. The department has been well known for its strong academic reputation and significant contributions to the college and university. Two of its faculty members have served as Principals of the college, while two others have held the position of DUTA President.
At present, the department has expanded to 25 permanent faculty members and 4 guest faculty members (29 in total), along with three fully equipped and well-furnished laboratories. Over the years, the department has grown significantly in both academic and research dimensions and today offers a dynamic learning environment supported by experienced and research-oriented faculty.
The department has a strong research culture, with faculty members actively involved in research supervision, funded projects, and quality publications. During the recent assessment period, faculty members contributed more than 180 research publications in reputed Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals, including several high-impact publications in the areas of materials science, energy studies, nanotechnology, and applied physics.
The department actively promotes innovation and experiential learning through undergraduate research opportunities, DBT-Star College initiatives, dissertation work under NEP, and faculty-guided projects. Research opportunities are extended through collaborative projects, with 31 students engaged in dissertation work and several others participating in faculty-guided research activities.
To foster scientific curiosity and student engagement beyond the classroom, the department is supported by the Illuminati: Physics Department Society, a vibrant student-led academic society that organizes lectures, seminars, quizzes, workshops, outreach activities, science exhibitions, and interactive sessions with researchers and alumni. The society provides a platform for students to develop leadership skills, enhance scientific communication, and actively participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities related to physics.
The department has also established a strong academic ecosystem by organizing national and international conferences such as AFMD and RAFM, involving participation from more than 200–350 researchers and academicians. It houses advanced research facilities and specialized laboratories in areas such as smart materials, energy storage, sensor materials, green energy physics, and materials science.
Students of the Department of Physics have consistently performed well in higher education and competitive examinations, with more than 20 students qualifying JAM in Physics during 2025–26 and many securing admission to reputed institutions in India and abroad. Through ICT-enabled teaching practices, industrial visits, seminars, workshops, and interactions with eminent scientists and academicians, the department continuously strives to nurture scientific temperament, innovation, and holistic development among students.