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Studies & Degrees in Indian Philosophy

Indian philosophy is the study of the philosophical traditions that developed on the Indian subcontinent: their theories of knowledge, logic, metaphysics, ethics and language. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes classical Indian philosophy as an unbroken tradition of reflection written in Sanskrit and made up of distinct schools (darśanas) that argue with one another: realist and idealist, dualist and monist, theist and atheist. A typical debate concerns the sources of knowledge, where the main candidates are perception, inference and testimony.

Students learn to read these arguments closely and to set them against each other. Brahmanical schools such as Sāṃkhya, Nyāya and Pūrva Mīmāṃsā are studied alongside Buddhist and other non-Brahmanical thought. Language training is part of the subject at advanced level: Sanskrit above all, and Pali, Tibetan or Chinese for Buddhist sources.

Qualifications and levels

Indian philosophy is taught at several levels, and the route depends on the country.

  • Courses inside a broader degree. Many students first meet the subject as one or two courses in a philosophy, religious studies or South Asian studies degree. The University of Chicago catalog, for example, lists Indian Philosophy I: Origins and Orientations and Indian Philosophy II: The Classical Traditions among its South Asian Languages and Civilizations courses.
  • A bachelor's specialisation. At The University of Tokyo, Indian Philosophy and Buddhist Studies is one of the 27 departments of the Faculty of Letters, in the Philosophy and Religion division.
  • A master's degree. The University of Madras offers an M.A. in Indian Philosophy. Its department page gives the entry requirement as a B.A., B.Sc. or B.Com, so a first degree in philosophy is not named as a condition.
  • Research degrees. The Madras department also offers M.Phil and Ph.D programmes. In Tokyo, Indian Philosophy and Buddhist Studies continues in the Asian Studies division of the Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology.

Length, credits and fees differ from one university to another. Ask each school for the current figures and for the recognition its qualification has in the country where you plan to use it.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists two active schools for Indian philosophy: the University of Madras in India and The University of Tokyo in Japan.

The Madras department was started in 1927 to promote South Indian philosophical thought, and its work led to the Dr. Radhakrishnan Centre for Advanced Study in Indian Philosophy in 1964. Its main subjects include Indian and Western philosophy, logic, ethics, hermeneutics, Buddhism and the philosophy of religion. The same department lists an M.A. in Buddhism and a self-supporting M.A. in Yoga: Theory and Practice.

The Tokyo department teaches and researches Indian philosophy together with Buddhist studies from India, Tibet, China, Japan and other regions. It emphasises in-depth reading of original texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan and Chinese, and states that most of its students go on to graduate school. The faculty's English pages link to a Japanese-language website for admissions, so check the language requirements before applying.

In India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the statutory body that coordinates and maintains standards in university education. International applicants can use the government's Study in India portal: they register for an SII ID, apply to institutes, accept an offer and apply for a student visa. After arrival they must register with the foreigners' registration office (FRRO) within 14 days.

Careers

Most people who specialise in Indian philosophy aim at teaching and research. That path is long. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that teachers at four-year colleges and universities typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate, and it projects employment of postsecondary teachers as a whole to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035 in the United States. In India, the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) runs junior research and post-doctoral fellowships for philosophy researchers.

Outside universities, graduates use their training in languages, close reading and argument in fields such as publishing, translation, libraries and cultural organisations. The subject is also often combined with Sanskrit, religious studies or Buddhist studies.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know Sanskrit to study Indian philosophy?

Not always at the start. The entry requirement the University of Madras gives for its M.A. is a bachelor's degree, without a language condition. Research-level study is different: the Tokyo department emphasises in-depth reading of original texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan and Chinese.

Is Indian philosophy the same as Buddhist studies?

No, but they overlap. The University of Tokyo joins them in one department, while the University of Madras lists an M.A. in Indian Philosophy and a separate M.A. in Buddhism.

Do I need a philosophy degree to enter a master's programme?

It depends on the university. The University of Madras gives B.A., B.Sc. or B.Com as the eligibility for its M.A. in Indian Philosophy. Other universities set their own conditions.

How do international students apply to study in India?

Through the Study in India portal: register for an SII ID, send applications to the chosen institutes, accept an offer letter and apply for the student visa. Registration with the FRRO is required within 14 days of landing in India.