50th All India Sociological Conference

Hosted By

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

On

MOBILITIES AND INEQUALITIES: SHIFTING CONTEXTS; CHANGING PARADIGMS

December 28-30, 2025

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Invitation

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to the 50th All India Sociological Conference (50th AISC) of the Indian Sociological Society (ISS). The conference will be hosted by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA), SRM University-AP, Amaravati, on the theme Mobilities and Inequalities: Shifting Contexts; Changing Paradigms from December 28 to 30, 2025. The conference will be attended by national and international delegates, including renowned sociologists, professors, researchers, and students. The collective expertise of the scholars would help the participants to engage and extend the discourses within sociology. This website provides you with all the required information to participate in the conference. We look forward to welcoming you to the 50th AISC at SRM University-AP, Amaravati, in December 2025.

Conference Theme

MOBILITIES AND INEQUALITIES: SHIFTING CONTEXTS; CHANGING PARADIGMS

We live in times that are marked by great mobility on one hand, and growing inequality on the other. The two are closely linked but marked by complex interplay. The world seems to be on the move- in buses, trains, airplanes, ships, boats, cycles, on foot, as we step into a world of AR/VR/MR. In our everyday lives we ‘see’ billboards and advertisements with glossy images of new roads, flyovers, speeding cars, bullet trains, glittering airports, and flamboyant connectivity devices. We may encounter these images physically or consume them digitally as we sit stationary with our mobile phones and laptops. Materials are on the move too – openly involving just-in-time delivery as components of manufactured goods or food ‘air freighted’ to tables across oceans and sometimes clandestinely, as in the movements of drugs, guns, cigarettes, alcohol, pirated products or people. As teachers, researchers and students we are acutely aware of mobility of ideas.
Mobility unavoidably travels with its obverse i.e., its lack: clogged or broken networks, debarred entry, denied asylum, stalled or slowed movement, some of which are indicative of the inequalities that structure the world. All mobilities however do not receive the same attention in either public discourse or academic analysis. Movements of migrants, labour, refugees and asylum seekers are either invisible in popular media or reported as an unfortunate aberration to the larger and happier story of mobilities. A dramatic instance of this uneven representation was the heart wrenching visuals of one of the most significant intra-national migrations globally of contemporary times: India’s informal sector workers, who were displaced overnight due to lockdowns and job losses walking back from towns and cities to their villages during COVID-19. Undoubtedly, this massive occurrence of mobility, and the lack of it, has brought the complex interplay of inequalities and mobilities in sharp focus. Mobility justice is an indicative critical framework that need looking into.
The 50th AISC thus calls into focus for sociologists, in India and globally, to reflect on these significant questions of how mobilities and inequalities are inextricably linked, how the nature of this relationship changes in different contexts, and how different theoretical frameworks and paradigms offer both new ways of understanding and opens up new objects of inquiry. Sociology has a long-standing interest in exploring how social mobility and inequality play out.
Fundamental to the social sciences and sociology is the understanding that neither mobilities nor inequalities are natural, self-propelled phenomena. Historically policy interventions had reduced inequality greatly until reaching the highest level of equality in the global north around 1950. Policies have also led to accelerated social mobility, new aspirations and desires; but often also deepened inequalities. The last decades have seen a decline in social mobility in many societies including countries such as the United States of America. India which is one of the world’s largest economies measure poorly so far as per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is concerned. States have intervened to address this in many cases but fallen short. The Conference intends to engage with the limits and possibilities of policy making.

In India inequalities based on gender, caste, class and religious communities have been defined by restrictions to both spatial and social mobilities. Segregation and ghettoization define India’s sprawling urban spaces. Contemporary urban India has seen segregation in a new avatar in what are called ‘gated communities’. Villages of course have always seen a near-perfect spatial segregation of residential space by caste and religion. Introductory sociology textbooks have immortalized spatial segregation as a constitutive feature of social life in agrarian India. Feminist sociologists have shown how gender becomes key in determining access to space. Households and public spaces have been structured by organizing principles of society such as race, class, caste, tribe and gender. Cultural and linguistic groups have also experienced varying mobilities often leading to inequalities within contemporary society.

In a technology (now digital) driven world an urgent need exists to explore the deep relationship between technology and society- both in terms of access and experience. While unequal access is important in an increasingly unequal world, we also must understand the ways that technologies of movements enable new ways of experiencing, for instance looking at the ‘moving’ landscape in a car or now virtually. Or the sensory experience of food for migrants’ homemaking, women’s food memory and its association with cultural identity. The body and the senses therefore become central in the analysis of mobilities.
It has been argued that in the global north the new mobilities paradigm questioned the sedentarism of dominant sociological theories; and emphasised that all places are tied into at least thin networks of connections that stretch beyond each place. For India, the colonial experience and anti-colonial writings including Indian sociologists reflect acute awareness of the connected, unequal and exploitative nature of colonial capitalism. This offers a vantage point to theorise mobilities and inequalities from the global south.
The Conference looks forward to empirical and theoretical papers on a range of themes. Some of the themes that the Conference would like to explore are:

Plenary Sessions

Plenary sessions on different dimensions of Mobilities and Inequalities will be held on each day of the conference.

Memorial Lecture

Three Memorial Lectures in the names of Professor M N Srinivas, Professor Radhakamal Mukherjee and Professor Yogendra Singh will be organised during the 50th All India Sociological Conference.

Paper Presentation and Membership of ISS

Research papers are invited in English and Hindi to be presented during technical sessions of 31 Research Committees (RCs) and 4 Ad-Hoc Research Committees of the Indian Sociological Society. The papers are to be prepared in consonance with the main theme of the conference.

Membership of the ISS & the respective RC is mandatory for paper presentations. Membership can be obtained through the ISS web portal https://insoso.org/membership . Only members of the Indian Sociological Society are eligible for RC Membership.

Abstract Submission

Abstracts will be selected on the basis of the following criteria

Abstract must follow the following format

The respective RC Convenors should be contacted for any enquiry regarding abstract submission and acceptance.

Conference Registration

Payment Details for Conference Registration

Note:

Registration Fee Payment Process

About Us

About Department of Sociology and Anthropology

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Easwari School of Liberal Arts, SRM University-AP, is dedicated to the study of human societies, cultures, and their intricate dynamics. Established in line with modern educational paradigms and the New Education Policy (2020). The Department offers an undergraduate programme and PhD programme in Sociology and Anthropology. The four-year undergraduate degree culminates in a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sociology/Anthropology. Students can opt for a three years or four years Bachelor’s programme with flexible exit options. The four years programme has research as its central focus and writing an original dissertation as a research outcome. This is beneficial for those wanting to study abroad for future educational pursuits. The faculty comprises esteemed scholars with experience from top global and national universities. Their expertise nurtures a robust teaching and research environment.

About Easwari School of Liberal Arts

Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA), SRM University-AP, Amaravati, fosters, cultivates, and promotes an interdisciplinary learning environment. The school’s driving ethos promotes a culture of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility. The school’s larger aim is to prepare the next generation of students to employ intellectual, emotional, and ethical skills to navigate societal challenges. Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA) has designed a pedagogy aligned with the contemporary and dynamic educational objectives of the country. ESLA houses seven departments—Sociology and Anthropology, Literature and Languages, History, Psychology, Economics, Political Science, and Media Studies. ESLA actively promotes interdisciplinary academic collaboration.

About Srm University - Ap, Amaravati

Established in 2017, SRM University-AP, Amaravati is a multidisciplinary institution with over 9,000 students from India and 31 countries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs through its three schools: the School of Engineering and Sciences, the Paari School of Business, and the Easwari School of Liberal Arts. Since its inception, the university has emphasised research-oriented learning, offering 26 multidisciplinary courses, an innovative curriculum, and an entrepreneurial mindset training for its students. SRM AP, Amaravati, has a robust research portfolio, highlighted by an H-index of 67 and over 2,750 Scopus/WoS publications, along with funding from agencies like ISRO DST, ANRF, ISRO, BRNS, ICSSR, and Ministry of Mines among others. It also boasts of having over 480 patents filed and over 55 granted patents and has established seven Interdisciplinary Research Centres and over 80 advanced laboratories. The entrepreneurial ecosystem includes the Directorate of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, supporting over 40 startups. Its women’s entrepreneurial wing, ADITRI launched 100 rural women-led start-ups. The university has a 100% placement rate, with students securing roles in Fortune 500 companies and international offers from 65 countries. The university also boasts 100% placements and was even recognised by Asia Today Media with an Excellent Placement Award. Our students have excelled in higher studies abroad. 20% of our students joined the world’s top-ranking universities with an impressive scholarship of up to $60000.

About Amaravati

Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is home to stunning Buddhist monuments. The Satavahana dynasty between 3rd and 2nd century B.C.E was crucial in spreading Buddhism in the region and establishing Amaravati as a center of pilgrimage and knowledge. The Shiva temple of Amareswara Temple is in Amaravati. The temple is one among the five famed Pancharama temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Andhra Pradesh. A few sites to visit during your stay include Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary, Tadepalli Reserve Forest, Amaravati Stupam, Kanaka Durga Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

About Andhra Pradesh

Located in the southeastern part of India and often referred to as the “Rice Bowl” for its fertile landscape, Andhra Pradesh is a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and exquisite cuisine that will captivate any visitor. The Hanging Pillar and the Veerabhadra Temple at Lepakshi are architectural sights loved by architectural and history enthusiasts alike. Adoni’s Shahi Jama Masjid, Andhra Pradesh’s largest mosque, bears witness to Andhra Pradesh’s long and varied history. It was constructed during King Ibrahim Qutb Shah’s 17th-century reign and boasts stunning Persian design elements. Andhra Pradesh is home to revered pilgrimage sites such as lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Tirupati and Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada. Varied cultural and artistic expressions such as the classical dance Kuchipudi, the traditional art form of Kalamkari, and Kondapalli Bommalu or the Kondapalli Dolls are native to Andhra Pradesh. Culinary enthusiasts will delight in Andhra Pradesh’s famed spicy dishes, and the region offers a wide range of desserts.

Research Committees

RC. No Title Convener Co - Convener Email
RC-1 Sociology Theory and Practice Prof. Nilika Mehrotra Suraj Beri iss01history20@gmail.com
RC-2 Studies on Family, Marriage & Kinship Deepti Kaushik Vasudev Singh iss02familymkin20@gmail.com
RC-3 Economy and Society Jayashree S. Sampath Kumar iss03economy20@gmail.com
RC-4 Migration and Diaspora Studies Jayakumar M S   iss04migration20@gmail.com
RC-5 Sociology of Education P H Mohammad Srabanti Choudhuri iss05education20@gmail.com
RC-6 Sociology of Religion M T Joseph Daisy Barman iss06religion20@gmail.com
RC-7 Adivasi and Tribal Studies Sukant K. Chaudhury Arvind Haldankar iss07tribal20@gmail.com
RC-8 Inequalities, Stratification and Exclusion Studies Parvez Ahmed Abassi Supriya Singh iss08inequality20@gmail.com
RC-9 Dalit Studies Arun Paudma Rashmi Punjiyara iss09dalit20@gmail.com
RC-10 Gender Studies Rajni Bala Sudeshna Mukherjee iss10gender20@gmail.com
RC-11 Sociology of Environment Amar Pal Singh Manisha Rao iss11environment20@gmail.com
RC-12 Sociology of Health, Ageing and Well-being Prabakar Soubramanian Manushi Srivastava iss12health20@gmail.com
RC-13 Science, Technology & Society Manoj Kumar Jena Seema Dutta iss13science20@gmail.com
RC-14 Globalisation and Society Shanker Deepthi Shreepal Chauhan iss14globalisation20@gmail.com
RC-15 Rural and Agrarian Studies Debal SingaRoy A Chandrashekar Reddy & Avinash iss15transformation20@gmail.com
RC-16 Work, Labour and Organization Pranjal Sarma Smita Awachar iss16work20@gmail.com
RC-17 Collective Actions, Mobilisations and Social Movements Shruti Tambe Ajay Kumar, Meghna Arora iss17movements20@gmail.com
RC-18 Social Demography Naresh Kumar Chandrika K B iss18demography20@gmail.com
RC-19 Urban Studies Manoj Teotia   iss19urban20@gmail.com
RC-20 Media Studies Kali Nath Jha P K Choudhary iss20media20@gmail.com
RC-21 Political Sociology Bhup Singh Gaur Nupur Pattanaik iss21political20@gmail.com
RC-22 Conflict and Violence Studies Arvinder Ansari   iss22conflict20@gmail.com
RC-23 Sociology of Law, Crime and Deviance Rabindra Kumar Mohanty Mamta Patel iss23crime20@gmail.com
RC-24 Sociology of Childhood and Youth V. Vijayalakshmi Mouneshwar Badiger iss24youth20@gmail.com
RC-25 Sociology of Sports Sanjay Tewari Raj Srivastava iss25sports20@gmail.com
RC-26 Minority Studies Imtiaz Ahmed Ansari Tej Bahadur Singh iss26minority20@gmail.com
RC-27 Sociology of Care Soumyajit Patra   iss27care20@gmail.com
RC-28 Sociology of Everyday Life Sanjay Roy Pranaya Kumar Swain iss28everydaylife20@gmail.com
RC-29 Social Transfromation & Development Sampat Kale Vinita Lal iss29socialtransformation@gmail.com
RC-30 Digital Sociology Abdul Matin Mahmudul Hasan Laskar digitalsociology2022@gmail.com
RC-31 Sociology of Sanitation Jagan Karade Prashant Bansode iss31sociologyofsanitation25@gmail.com

ADHOC Research Committees

Ad Hoc No. Research Committee Convenor Co - Convenor Official Email
Ad Hoc 01 Pedagogy, Teaching and Learning Leena Pujari Roopa Rathnam leena_pujari@hotmail.com
Ad Hoc 02 Indian Sociology and Knowledge Systems Vikash Kumar Karunakar Singh kumarvikash20@ymail.com
Ad Hoc 03 Food, Culture and Society Rituparna Patgiri Biju Vincent missrituparnapatgiri@gmail.com
Ad Hoc 04 Visual Sociology Satish Kumar Sharma Vaishali Diwakar sattish00741@yahoo.com

Chief Patrons

Conference Organising Committee 2025 (National)

Managing Committee 2024-2025 (National)

Office Bearer

Members

Conference Organising Committee

Members

General Travel Guidelines

The SRM University–AP, Amaravati campus is located between the cities Vijayawada and Guntur. It can be reached from various parts of the country in several ways:

By Rail

Those coming from other states of India by train, should get down at the Vijayawada Railway Station (railway code: BZA), which is well-connected with almost all parts of the country. One can also use the Guntur Railway Station (code: GNT). From the stations, you may engage a taxi to reach SRM University-AP.Amaravati. The Vijayawada Junction and Guntur Junction, which are 23 and 31 km away, respectively.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Vijayawada International Airport (IATA: VGA) is about 40 km from campus. You may engage a taxi from the airport to reach SRM University-AP Amaravati.

By Road

NH16 is in close proximity. The nearest major bus stations are in Mangalagiri, Vijayawada, and Guntur.

Accomodation

Participants who wish to stay outside the university accommodation can explore the following stay options:

Vijayawada (3-star and above):

Guntur (3-star and above):

Weather in Vijayawada – December

Contact US

SRM University-AP, Amaravati
Neerukonda Village, Mangalagiri Mandal, Guntur District,
Andhra Pradesh – 5222502