Mumbai: Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU), Mumbai, has launched its Dharma Studies program, a pioneering initiative designed to reconnect students with India’s knowledge traditions while addressing contemporary global challenges in ethics, culture, and policymaking.
In response to cultural homogenisation and complex ethical dilemmas around technology, sustainability, and governance, the Dharma Studies program provides an academically rigorous, text-based, and practice-oriented approach.
It positions Dharma not as the study of one religion, but as an indigenous framework for justice, social responsibility, and harmony in a globalised context.
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Dharma Studies: Reviving Ancient Wisdom for Modern Relevance
The program combines the study of Sanskrit and Prakrit textual traditions with insights from modern philosophy, political theory, and cultural studies. Students engage with primary sources to build linguistic expertise and interpretative skills while applying Dharma-based frameworks to issues such as human rights, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development, and technology ethics.
Building Global Thinkers through Dharma Studies
“Dharma is not a relic of the past – it is a living, dynamic framework that continues to offer ethical guidance and cultural insight in today’s interconnected societies,” said Dr Abhishek Ghosh, Dean of Faculty – K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies, SVU.
“Our goal is to empower students to critically engage with tradition, bridge it with modern knowledge, and contribute to global conversations from an Indian perspective.”
The Dharma Studies initiative is tailored for students seeking academic careers in philosophy, theology, Indology, and cultural research, as well as roles in international organisations, think tanks, cultural policymaking, and ethical leadership.
Through seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects, the program explores how Dharma traditions intersect with contemporary fields, including:
- Political Theory & Governance – Dharmic perspectives on justice, duty, and responsibility in policymaking.
- Human Rights & Global Ethics – Reinterpreting dignity, equality, and non-violence in cross-cultural contexts.
- Sustainability & Ecology – Applying traditions of balance with nature to address ecological challenges.
- Ethics of Technology – Drawing on ancient principles of knowledge and restraint to navigate AI and digital dilemmas.
SVU’s Mission with Dharma Studies
As part of its broader vision of “Knowledge Alone Liberates”, Somaiya Vidyavihar University is fostering a dialogue between Indian traditions and global frameworks.
The Dharma Studies program aims to produce graduates who are both scholars of culture and leaders in global change – anchored in timeless wisdom while prepared to address modern challenges.
