In India, criminology students are driven by personal interest and law enforcement aspirations, often influenced by media and family backgrounds.
Author
Michael L. Valan, Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University (Institute of Eminence), Sonipat, Haryana, India
Summary
Over the past decade, criminal justice education has gained significant attention among Indian students. However, unlike Western contexts where substantial research exists, there is limited empirical evidence on the motivations for choosing criminology and related career preferences in India. To address this gap, a survey was conducted among 457 undergraduate criminology students across various Indian institutions using a self-reported questionnaire. The findings indicate that personal interest, aspirations to join law enforcement agencies, and media influence are primary motivations for selecting criminology as a major. Regarding career preferences, students ranked social defence services (Juvenile Justice) as the most desirable, followed by positions in law enforcement, academia, and correctional institutions. Additionally, the study found that students with parents serving in law enforcement are significantly more likely to prefer careers in law enforcement agencies.
Published in: Journal of Criminal Justice Education
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