International Centre for Advanced Studies
From Civilizational Knowledge to Contemporary Futures
An interdisciplinary international platform for advanced research, teaching, documentation and global dissemination of Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā.
Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā · Contemporary Science · Policy · Diaspora · Cultural Diplomacy
A Living Tradition of Knowledge
The International Centre for Advanced Studies in Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā, University of Calcutta (ICAS-BJP(IKS)-CU) is an interdisciplinary international platform for advanced research, teaching, documentation and global dissemination of India’s knowledge traditions.
How can India’s knowledge traditions be rigorously studied, meaningfully interpreted and responsibly brought into dialogue with the contemporary world?
The Centre works at the meeting point of classical scholarship and contemporary inquiry. Its programmes connect India’s philosophical, scientific and technological traditions with contemporary science, technology, education, public policy and global scholarship.
Research is textual and empirical, historical and forward-looking grounded in sources, methodologically rigorous, and open to collaboration with international academic networks.
Vision
To develop an internationally recognised centre for the systematic study, interpretation, contemporary application and global dissemination of Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā.
Mission
01
Advance interdisciplinary research in Indian Knowledge Systems.
02
Study India’s philosophical, scientific, technological and intellectual traditions.
03
Connect classical knowledge with contemporary disciplines and research methodologies.
04
Explore the relevance of Indian knowledge traditions to education, policy and society.
05
Encourage dialogue between traditional scholarship and modern science.
06
Document the contribution of the Indian Diaspora.
07
Develop international academic networks and collaborative research.
08
Promote civilizational dialogue and cultural diplomacy.
09
Train young scholars through doctoral, post-doctoral and fellowship programmes.
Research
Research Domains
Interdisciplinary inquiry across knowledge traditions, contemporary disciplines and emerging technologies.
01
Darśana & Indian Philosophy
Systems of reasoning, metaphysics and epistemology across schools of Indian thought.
02
Veda & Upaniṣadic Studies
Textual scholarship, exegesis and transmission of Vedic and Upaniṣadic corpora.
03
Science, Mathematics & Technology
Historical Indian contributions to mathematics, astronomy and technique.
04
Āyurveda & Traditional Knowledge Systems
Classical health sciences and codified traditional knowledge practices.
05
Yoga & Consciousness Studies
Yogic frameworks of mind, practice and states of consciousness.
06
Arthaśāstra & Public Policy
Indian approaches to statecraft, economics, ethics and governance.
07
Education & Pedagogy
Exploring Indian pedagogical traditions and their contemporary educational relevance.
08
Psychology & Cognitive Studies
Engagement between Indian psychological traditions and contemporary cognitive scholarship.
09
Ecology & Environmental Knowledge
Study of traditional ecological perspectives and contemporary sustainability discourse.
10
Computational Sanskrit & Digital Humanities
Applying computational methodologies to Sanskrit texts and knowledge traditions.
11
Artificial Intelligence & Indian Knowledge Systems
Exploring emerging technological possibilities for research, documentation and dissemination.
12
IKS Policy
Academic engagement with the policy dimensions of Indian Knowledge Systems.
13
Indian Diaspora & Civilizational Studies
Documenting the global transmission and contemporary expression of Indian knowledge traditions.
14
Cultural Diplomacy & Global Knowledge Exchange
Building international platforms for civilizational dialogue and academic cooperation.
The Centre’s Distinctive Approach
Not merely what was known in India, but how that knowledge can be rigorously studied, meaningfully interpreted and responsibly brought into dialogue with the contemporary world.
01
Traditional Knowledge
02
Textual Scholarship
03
Interdisciplinary Research
04
Contemporary Science
05
Policy & Society
06
Global Knowledge Exchange
The Centre’s Distinctive Approach
India and the Global Indian Diaspora
“The Centre will document and study the contribution of Indian communities worldwide to the preservation, transmission and dissemination of Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā.”
Academic Programmes
Learn. Research. Contribute.
Doctoral Research
Advanced interdisciplinary research in Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā.
Programme details to be announced
Postdoctoral Research
Collaborative scholarship across traditional and contemporary disciplines.
Programme details to be announced
Fellowships
Opportunities for scholars working across knowledge traditions.
Programme details to be announced
Publications
Knowledge in Circulation
Reading the Manuscript Archive
Placeholder abstract – methodological notes on textual scholarship and archival practice.
Astronomy, Geometry, Measure
Placeholder abstract – mathematical and astronomical traditions in historical context.
Computational Approaches to Sanskrit
Placeholder abstract – corpora, annotation and computational method.
Knowledge Traditions and the Public Sphere
Placeholder abstract – interpretation, ethics and contemporary relevance.
Collaborate
Build the Next Chapter of Knowledge
Join a growing international network of scholars, institutions and researchers exploring the relationship between Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā and the contemporary world.