The World’s First Institute of Applied India Studies: Why It Matters Now
In a world saturated with think tanks, universities, and research centers, it’s rare to find an institution that doesn’t just add to the noise—but changes the conversation. That’s what The Hind School sets out to do.
As the world’s first institute devoted entirely to Applied India Studies, The Hind School is not just a place to learn about India—it’s a place to think, act, and engage through India.
What Is Applied India Studies?
Most “India Studies” programs—whether in Delhi or Cambridge—approach India as an object: a country to be understood, interpreted, or historicized. Applied India Studies takes a fundamentally different view. It treats India as a method—a framework for thinking about the world’s challenges, from climate and governance to identity, inequality, and culture.
At The Hind School, this means anchoring education in lived experience. Our fellows do not sit in classrooms memorizing theories. They learn from the forest rights movement in Odisha, from manuscripts in Varanasi, from artisans in Kutch, and from policy labs in Bengaluru. They write essays, yes—but also policy briefs, case studies, and public interventions. They are students, researchers, and practitioners at once.
Why Now?
India is entering its centenary of independence in 2047. With that milestone comes a deeper question: Who will shape the next century of Indian thought and civic leadership? Most universities are still stuck in colonial-era academic models. Meanwhile, the world is turning to India—not just for markets, but for ideas, ethics, and models of resilience.
The Hind School steps into this vacuum with urgency and intent. It offers a civic, intellectual, and cultural alternative to conventional higher education—one rooted in regional diversity, public action, and interdisciplinary rigor.
What Makes It First?
There are centers for India Studies in universities around the world. Some are excellent. But none are designed as standalone institutions devoted solely to India—not as an object of study, but as a generator of new frameworks for the world. The Hind School is the first home for applied India studies—not in the margins of an international university, but as its own autonomous space.
It is not a degree factory. It is not a policy school. It is not a museum. It is a school of thought and action, built from and for India.
What’s Next?
Over the next year, The Hind School will launch its full portfolio of fellowships—from short-term cultural residencies to intensive postgraduate programs. The first cohorts are already working on regional challenges, designing public knowledge platforms, and producing original work across disciplines.
The idea is simple but radical: If India is to lead in the 21st century, we need a new kind of institution. One that listens to the land, learns from the people, and dares to ask: What can the world learn through India?
To learn more about The Hind School or to get involved, visit www.hindschool.com or write to info@hindschool.com.
