India's First Full-Degree M.A. in India Studies Launched by Jindal India Institute
The O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) Jindal India Institute (JII) launched its one-year, fully online Master of Arts (M.A.) in India Studies programme successfully on March 5 at the JGU International Academy, Taj Mahal Hotel, Man Singh Road, New Delhi. The programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative, being the first full-degree Master's programme in India Studies by an Indian university.
The M.A. in India Studies is conceived to enable engagement with India from a scholarly perspective grounded in the intellectual heritage and present realities of the nation. With increasing global influence of India, the programme responds to the growing need for a sophisticated, interdisciplinary appreciation of the country's point of view, context, and worldview. Envisioned as a 100% virtual learning process, it makes provisions for worldwide students, particularly professionals, to visit India's varied cultural and intellectual heritage anywhere across the globe.
The program is particularly useful for global audiences, such as diplomats, members of the global Indian diaspora, business leaders, Indophiles, and India and South Asia scholars. It offers a chance to critically analyze and enjoy the richness of India's civilization and its modern relevance as the world's largest democracy.
The launch event also had a panel discussion entitled 'Engaging with India: The Role of Specialised Knowledge about India for Effective Diplomacy' with distinguished diplomats who have dealt with India at the highest levels. The panel consisted of H.E. Prof. (Dr.) Anil Sooklal (High Commissioner of South Africa to India), H.E. Mr. Mariano Agustín Caucino (Ambassador of Argentina to India), H.E. Mr. Ganbold Dambajav (Ambassador of Mongolia to India), and H.E. Mr. Roman Babushkin (Minister-Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Russia).
All the panellists provided insights into how specialized India knowledge improves diplomatic effectiveness and reinforces bilateral and multilateral relations. H.E. Mr. Mariano Agustín Caucino conceded, "I came with little knowledge of India but soon discovered its sheer size and dynamism, referring to it as 'the country of the future".
H.E. Mr. Ganbold Dambajav pointed out Mongolia's long-standing spiritual connection with India, saying, "We must talk about karma because we are in India", while conceding he is still learning the country's vast diversity of languages, customs, and faiths. He pointed out that India is regarded as a 'spiritual neighbour' in Mongolia.
H.E. Mr. Roman Babushkin, who called himself an Indophile, highlighted the hospitality Russian diplomats receive in India, remarking, "Two things you don't find anywhere else – Indian weddings and Indian elections".
H.E. Prof. (Dr.) Anil Sooklal, a member of the Indian diaspora, referred to the M.A. in India Studies as a 'necessity' and hoped that it would be a trendsetter towards promoting a better understanding of India. 'Every state is like a different country', he added, underlining the programme's significance in enabling the world to approach India on its own terms.
The gathering of the audience was in excess of 45, with notable guests from different embassies and high-profile journalists and senior international community members from New Delhi. The event further outlined the course format and some of the central learning goals as an important move toward the setting of a coherent and interdisciplinary course on India studies.
Prof. (Dr.) C. Rajkumar, O.P. Jindal Global University and Jindal India Institute President, emphasized the necessity of such an initiative. "In spite of India's rich intellectual heritage and its historical and contemporary importance, attempts to study India in its own universities have tended to be piecemeal, without a systematic, interdisciplinary approach that offers a comprehensive understanding of the country. While institutions across the globe have set up special centres for India Studies, no such initiatives in India exist on a significant scale. The Jindal India Institute and its Master's in India Studies are a beginning towards filling this lacuna", he said.
Prof. (Dr.) Sreeram Chaulia, Director General of the Jindal India Institute, emphasised the programme’s relevance, remarking, “With India’s rise on the world stage, there is a growing need for a structured academic framework that enables a deeper understanding of its rich history, diverse traditions, and evolving role. As India asserts itself, it is equally important to cultivate a nuanced, self-aware engagement with its own civilizational and intellectual foundations. The Master's in India Studies at the Jindal India Institute provides students with the knowledge and critical understanding required to engage with India's history and present in a comprehensive manner grounded in its own intellectual self-awareness".
The conference ended with a recommitment of the Jindal India Institute to developing a broad and deep engagement with India's history, ideas, and contemporary realities across the world.
