First published in 1949 as the Economic Weekly and since 1966 as the Economic and Political Weekly, EPW, as the journal is popularly known, occupies a special place in the intellectual history of independent India. The Economic and Political Weekly, published from Mumbai, India, is a journal/ magazine published from Mumbai, India. The journal/ magazine was first published in 1949 as the Economic Weekly (edited by Sachin Chaudhuri) and since 1966 was re-christened the Economic and Political Weekly, EPW. The journal is regarded to be an unique forum that has brought various academics, researchers, policy makers, independent thinkers, members of non-governmental organisations and political activists for debates straddling economics, politics, sociology, culture, the environment and numerous other disciplines. It was edited by Krishna Raj for more than three decades. EPW is published by the Sameeksha Trust, a registered charitable trust. EPW is known to take strong editorial positions and forthright stances on current affairs and its pages have for decades been open to writers who have highlighted the challenges facing the disadvantaged. It is known as a publication with a "social conscience". Some have even called it independent India's conscience. The EPW's biggest influence on social sciences in India has been in catalysing debates and disseminating research output.