The M.A. Sanskrit Studies at Chanakya University is a two-year postgraduate programme that offers a rigorous, structured, and contemporary engagement with Sanskrit language, literature, philosophy, and knowledge traditions. Sanskrit, as one of the world’s oldest classical languages, serves as the foundational medium of India’s intellectual heritage and continues to inform disciplines ranging from philosophy and linguistics to governance, ethics, and arts.
This 82-credit programme is designed to equip students with linguistic proficiency, interpretative depth, and research methodology, enabling them to access and critically engage with classical texts and their modern significance. Grounded in traditional hermeneutics and enriched with interdisciplinary perspectives, the M.A. prepares learners for informed scholarship and purposeful engagement with global and indigenous knowledge systems.
Chanakya University’s vision of transformative leadership supports this programme’s emphasis on academic rigour, critical thinking, and intellectual depth, positioning graduates to contribute effectively to academia, research, and society.
Eligibility Criteria
- A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
- Admission Process may include performance in the university’s entrance examination and/or personal interview.
Chanakya Edge
At Chanakya University, the M.A. Sanskrit Studies is not merely a language programme. It is a transformative intellectual journey. Anchored in the university’s commitment to holistic, liberal education, the programme stands out for
- Interdisciplinary Breadth: Situated within the School of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, it benefits from a multidisciplinary ethos that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and broad intellectual inquiry.
- Distinguished Faculty: Learners are mentored by scholars with deep expertise in Sanskrit, Indian philosophy, grammar, literature, and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), including faculty with traditional and modern academic grounding.
- Bridging Tradition and Modernity: The curriculum harmonizes India’s classical interpretative know-how with contemporary research practices, fostering graduates who can navigate both scholarly traditions and modern discourses.
- Liberal Education Focus: Consistent with Chanakya University’s broader educational philosophy, students are encouraged to shape their academic journey with intellectual autonomy, reflective enquiry, and cross-disciplinary exploration.
Programme Highlights
- Comprehensive Language Mastery: Acquire strong competence in Sanskrit grammar, poetics, and textual analysis, enabling independent reading, comprehension, and translation of primary sources with traditional commentaries.
- Engagement with Classical Wisdom: Study seminal texts spanning Darśana (philosophy), Arthaśāstra (statecraft), literature, and linguistics, fostering a deep appreciation of India’s intellectual traditions and their global relevance.
- Traditional and Modern Research Tools: Learn and apply classical interpretative methodologies (such as Mīmāṃsā and Vyākaraṇa hermeneutics) alongside modern research frameworks to produce analytical essays, research notes, and presentations.
- Bridge Courses for Inclusivity: Students without prior Sanskrit background can strengthen foundational skills through Semester I bridge courses, ensuring accessibility without compromising academic standards.
- Critical Inquiry and Contemporary Relevance: The programme encourages relating traditional insights to contemporary academic, governance, ethical, and linguistic contexts, preparing scholars to engage dynamically with modern challenges.
Programme Structure
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Discipline specific courses (core) (4 credits/course) (8 courses) | 32 |
| Discipline specific courses (core) (3 credits/course) (4 courses) | 12 |
| Open Electives (Discipline specific) (3 credits/course) (5 courses) | 15 |
| Chanakya University Foundation Courses (4 credits/course) (4 courses) | 16 |
| Internship | 2 |
| Capstone/Dissertation | 5 |
| Total | 82 |
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the M.A. in Sanskrit Studies enjoy a wide spectrum of career and academic pathways
- Academia and Research: Pursue doctoral studies or become teachers, researchers, and scholars in universities and research institutions, both in India and abroad.
- Translation and Publishing: Work as translators, editors, and publishers, enabling classical texts to reach broader audiences.
- Heritage and Cultural Preservation: Contribute to manuscript preservation, cultural documentation, and heritage institutions.
- Interdisciplinary Engagements: Engage with think tanks, policy research, media, and interdisciplinary projects where classical wisdom informs contemporary discourse.
- Professional Fields: Leverage Sanskrit proficiency in allied domains such as Yoga, Ayurveda, linguistics, communication, and digital humanities.
This breadth of pathways reflects the programme’s integration of classical insight with contemporary relevance, aligning with Chanakya University’s mission to nurture purposeful, globally-oriented graduates.