PhD in Hindu Studies from the University of Delhi

19-Dec-2025

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ University of Delhi (UoD) has announced the commencement of its exclusive Ph.D. programme in Hindu Studies, thus marking a significant milestone in the academic exploration of India’s diverse cultural and spiritual heritage. This programme, which has been thoroughly planned to meet the strictest academic standards in accordance with University Ordinance VI, will be launched in the 2025–26 academic year. 

The Centre for Hindu Studies (CHS) has gone a long way from being a proposal to actually enrolling students as evidenced by the release of the Provisional Merit List on November 26, 2025; hence, the board is ready to welcome scholars who are willing to undertake a rigorous, multidisciplinary research. The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ programme offers a unique chance to contribute to the global understanding of Hindu traditions, philosophy, and culture. Therefore, it is the perfect path for people who are passionate about advancing and expanding this dynamic field.

For those who are interested in Hindu Studies, this is a perfect opportunity to embark on this life-changing academic journey and thereby, placing themselves as leading research and scholarship figures in Hindu ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌studies.

Introduction to Hindu Studies as an Academic Discipline

Hindu studies is gaining knowledge regarding the traditions, rituals, and practices of the Indian subcontinent, preferring Hinduism. It provides an understanding of Sanskrit texts, theological doctrines, and mythological narratives revolving around Hinduism. Hindu studies are undergoing numerous changes in their methodology. Today,‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ a Hindu study is not just an in-depth textual analysis but is also a field-based immersion where one interacts with the local communities, conducts archaeological excavations, collects data, and derives the insights by cross-cultural comparisons. Higher education in this subject area illuminates a broad spectrum of issues like morals, management, societal structures, nature-related issues, male-female relations, metaphysics, and earth-friendly aspects of the world. 

The number of people interested in Hindu Studies is increasing, as a lot of people consider it not just a scholarly endeavor but also an avenue for their personal and spiritual development. Moreover, the discipline delves into the worldwide spread of Hinduism, studies its diaspora communities, and the influence of the interactions with the other religions and cultural ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌traditions.

Academic Progression in Hindu Studies

Many‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ national and international educational institutions offer Hindu studies as part of their curriculum. Additionally, students are allowed to obtain a bachelor's, a master's, and a PhD degree.

At the undergraduate level, one gets a general understanding of the holy scriptures, the rites, the culture, the history, and the philosophy of Hinduism. A master's degree gives a detailed insight into the Hindu traditions, texts, practices, and their cultural background.

A doctorate in Hindu studies is an intense and interdisciplinary program which highlights the varied and intricate aspect of the subject. A scholarly research of the topics may encompass the study of Hindu movements; Vedic literature like the Upanishads, Puranas; Hindu philosophy; religious practices; social and cultural ramifications; and interreligious ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌dialogue.

Institutions Offering Hindu Studies Programmes

Various renowned institutes like Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Sri Sri University, Nalanda University, and many more offer an MA in Hindu studies.

International universities like the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and the Hindu University of America offer an MA and certification course in it. While some offer a PhD in these studies.

Centre for Hindu Studies at Delhi University

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Centre for Hindu Studies, established in 2023, operates as a multidisciplinary platform for research and advanced studies. After the initial focus of the Centre on MA programmes, a decision was made in late 2024 to cater to the need of the high number of students qualified for JRF and NET in Hindu Studies by offering doctoral ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌research.

The programme is designed with an interdisciplinary framework, incorporating perspectives from allied departments such as Philosophy, Sanskrit, History, Political Science, and Hindi. Until regular appointments are finalized, research supervision is provided by expert faculty from these allied fields within the Faculty of Arts.

Academic Vision and Objectives of the Programme

The PhD in Hindu Studies at Delhi University aims to advance academics and research via interdisciplinary research, global collaboration, and public involvement. It intends to share its findings and connect with the general public in order to increase awareness of Hindu civilisation.

Maintaining academic discipline and objectivity will be critical to the programme's success. It must be effective in addressing concerns about study bias or politicisation, preserving its legitimacy and scholarly significance. It should counter previous neglect based on Eurocentric biases. The programme can provide a platform for indigenous scholars and represent Hindu traditions in academia.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Admission

Enrolling in the Ph.D. programme requires meeting the following specific criteria:

• Academic Qualification: A Master’s Degree in Hindu Studies or allied subjects with a minimum of 55% marks (or an equivalent grade).

• Mandatory Qualifications: Candidates must have qualified for JRF/NET/PhD Eligibility Test specifically in Hindu Studies.

• Standard Relaxations: A 5% relaxation in marks is provided for candidates from SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), EWS, and PwBD categories as per University norms.

• Scores Considered: For the 2025-26 session, scores from the NET Examinations conducted in December 2024 and June 2025 are valid for Phase-1.

Seat Matrix and Reservation Policy

For Phase-1 of the 2025–26 session, the Centre has allocated a specific seat matrix to ensure diverse representation.

• Total Seats: 10 seats.

• Category Distribution: UR (5), OBC-NCL (3), SC (2), ST (1), and EWS (1).

• Supernumerary Seats: 1 seat is reserved for PwBD candidates.

• Inclusivity: The UR merit list is inclusive, meaning SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates are included if they meet the UR merit criteria. If ST seats remain vacant, they may be allocated to eligible SC candidates and vice-versa.

Current Admission Status and Mandatory Formalities

The Phase-1 admission process is currently being finalized with strict deadlines:

• Registration Form: Selected candidates were required to submit the registration form and self-attested documents by December 1, 2025 (4:00 PM) via email.

• Admission Fees: Payment of the prescribed admission fees and submission of hard copies were due by December 2, 2025 (2:00 PM).

• Waitlist: Seats vacated by candidates failing to meet these deadlines are offered to the next candidates on the waiting list in order of merit.

• Ratification: All provisional admissions are subject to final ratification by the Board of Research Studies (Arts).

Career Opportunities After Completing the PhD

The PhD programme is likely to open doors for various career opportunities for graduates. One of the most direct paths is to join universities as a researcher, lecturer, or assistant professor.

There is an increasing demand for Hindu scholars who can teach and conduct research at the same time. After a PhD, one can go for a postdoctoral research fellowship in India or abroad. There will be ample opportunities to work on projects with people from the fields of history, philosophy, art, archaeology, and social sciences.

Apart from that, the graduates can contribute to museums, heritage, cultural organisations, and research centres focused on Indian philosophy, religion, and traditions. Experts can further play an important role in policy making, cultural preservation, and interfaith dialogues, developing public harmony and sociability. With an increase in global interest in Hindu studies, scholars can find positions at international universities, think tanks, or cultural exchange programmes.

Research‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Methodology and Academic Rigor

A PhD program should operate with an organized research methodology that is in line with the regulations set by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Students must complete a significant amount of coursework in the first stage of the program, learning research methods, academic writing, textual criticism, historiography, and interdisciplinary frameworks.

Special focus will be given to the examination of a wide range of primary sources such as manuscripts, inscriptions, commentarial traditions, and ethnographic data, if available. The academic coaching and scholarly enrichment culture will be upheld through regular presentations, progress reviews, and interactions with ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌peers.

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Ph.D. program in Hindu Studies at the University of Delhi is available only as a regular full-time course. Any admitted student has to complete the compulsory courses as prescribed by the University Grants Commission and the University of Delhi before starting full-time doctoral ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌research.

The Ph.D. in Hindu Studies is a regular, full-time programme. Academic rigor is maintained through the following:

• Mandatory Coursework: All scholars must complete coursework as prescribed by the UGC and the University of Delhi before starting their core research.

• Research Proposal: It is compulsory to submit a research proposal at the time of registration.

• Evaluation: The selection procedure involves an interview in which candidates are assessed for their research aptitude and the feasibility of their proposed ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌research.

Language Proficiency and Textual Engagement

One‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ of the major aspects of research in Hindu studies that sets it apart is the focus on classical and regional languages. Possibly, doctoral students will be required to acquire or upgrade their skills in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, or a suitable vernacular language in line with their research area.

Such a language base allows for unmediated access to the primary sources and thus lessening a translator's influence, which in turn raises the level of the researcher's correctness and innovation in the textual ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌interpretation.

Funding,‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Fellowships, and Academic Support

Students‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ who are enrolled in the program might be qualified to get monetary support through various national fellowship schemes like UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF (if applicable) and other government or privately funded schemes.

Besides financial support, the University of Delhi provides a wide range of academic resources like modern libraries, digital databases, archival collections, and online research platforms to facilitate advanced research. Researchers can also be given university backing to attend workshops, conferences, and academic exchange programs subject to the university regulations and availability of ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌funds.

Ethical Framework and Scholarly Responsibility

The department is committed to research ethics, one of which is intellectual honesty, and also puts a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity. It is expected of researchers to maintain the highest moral standards in all stages of their research. For instance, they should not plagiarize, should cite their sources properly, and when religions are involved, they should give truthful and impartial accounts. 

In view of the fact that Hindu Studies is a very sensitive area, the programme will mainly focus on well-informed scholarship which clearly separates academic inquiry from ‍‍‍‍‍advocacy.

Conclusion

The Ph.D. in Hindu Studies at the University of Delhi is, in a way, a significant step towards the academic formalization of Indian knowledge systems. DU is making itself a worldwide leader in this field by mixing rigorous research methodologies with interdisciplinary perspectives. With the end of Phase 1 admissions in December 2025, the programme is going to be instrumental in the coming of a new generation of scholars who will be committed to the objective and comprehensive study of Hindu ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌civilization.

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