Course Offered: B.A (Honours) Sanskrit
Established in 1956, the Department of Sanskrit at LSR promotes the appreciation of this rich and scientific language, crucial to the understanding of several Indian cultural, philosophical and religious traditions. The thrust areas of the course are Vedic and Upanishadic lore, history of ancient Indian cultures, philosophy, Arthashastra and other areas of Indology.
The course places emphasis on specific aspects of India’s intellectual traditions which are relevant to contemporary discourses in diverse disciplines both in the humanities and sciences. Short modules on linguistics and philosophy of language, reasoning and ontology, aesthetics and Indian theatre, mathematics and Astronomy and Indian science have been introduced. The faculty approaches the study of Sanskrit not merely as a language but as a subject that sensitizes students to its role as a repository of Indian culture, ethical values and Vedic mathematics. Faculty members also encourage fluency in speaking the language. Students of the Sanskrit Department study epigraphy and archaeology and hence are eligible to pursue a Masters Degree in this field. Students of Sanskrit are in demand in museums, manuscript studies and fields related to archaeology. Other career options include teaching and translation work.
The learning of students is enriched in various ways through a number of educational activities conducted within and outside the Department. The department of Sanskrit has always been proactive and has invited eminent scholars to disseminate their knowledge and their expertise. Seminars on Vedic Mathematics, Kinship and Social Justice in Ancient Hindu Legal System, panel discussions and talks on Archaeology and Sanskrit,Yoga and mental health, Sanskrit chronology, Sanskrit Logic & Debate, Indian Knowledge Tradition, Indian poetic tradition, Hindu Calendar system, Role of Women in Vikasit Bharat: In the context of Sanskrit Shastras are some of the popular and memorable ones. Department has also took initiative to organize workshop based short term course on “Indian Culture, Languages, & History: An ancient and Contemporary view.” In order to enhance the understanding of students on their course work, department has evolved the pedagogy outside the classrooms by organizing field trips to various Inscription sites and museums. In the process of getting aligned with NEP 2020, department offers various courses such as Ayurveda, Yoga in Practice, Vedic Mathematics, Ancient Indian Methods of Script Writing etc. for undergraduate programs. The Sanskrit Sambhashan Shivir from Lok Bhasha Prachar Samity is organized at regular intervals.
Lectures and events
The academic year 2024–2025 was distinguished by a series of intellectually stimulating lectures and academic sessions organized by the Department of Sanskrit, designed to foster rigorous scholarship and broaden intellectual engagement. A notable event was a lecture delivered on 20th August 2024 on the theme “From Manuscript to Media: Sanskrit’s New Role in Journalism.” The online session featured two distinguished speakers—Dr. Baldevanand Sagar, General Secretary of Bharatiya Sanskrit Patrakar Sangh, and Ms. Nidhi Jha, an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College and Sanskrit Newsreader at All India Radio. The speakers offered critical insights into the dynamic interface between Sanskrit and contemporary media discourse. Over 100 Students from various colleges and universities participated in the event, contributing to a vibrant and interactive dialogue that reflected the growing relevance of Sanskrit in modern contexts.
As part of the Sanskrit Week celebrations, the department organized a Sanskrit Quiz Competition on 14th August 2024 in college. The competition, which invited participation across disciplines, served as an engaging academic platform to explore classical texts, epic and the intellectual heritage of Sanskrit literature. The enthusiastic response reaffirmed the department’s role in nurturing a deep appreciation for Sanskrit knowledge system.
Association Highlights
The year bore witness to significant achievements by students of the department in multiple inter-college events hosted by leading institutions. These events provided students with opportunities to engage in scholarly discourse and exhibit their academic and creative talents. In the Sketching Competition held at Miranda House, Prakhya Sharma was awarded first prize, and Rashmi Roushan secured second. At Mata Sundari College, Amita Shrivastava and Shruti Jha received third prize in the shloka recitation. In the Sanskrit Quiz Competition, Shriya Vidwans and Smriti Verma earned third prize for their analytical understanding of textual sources and historical content. At the inter-college speech competition hosted by Lady Shri Ram College, Madhavi Kumari secured third prize for her flawless speech. Amita Srivastava was also awarded a consolation prize at Janki Devi Memorial College for her participation in shloka recitation competitions.
Within the department, several competitions were organized to cultivate academic excellence and artistic expression. In the Prose Reading Competition conducted on 26th September 2024, Sarita Bhatt won first place, with Smriti Verma and Yati Sharma securing second, and Prakhya Sharma and Monica awarded third. Consolation prizes were presented to Nandini Vij and Amita Srivastava for their commendable efforts. The Shloka recitation Competition held on 17th October 2024 featured Yati Sharma as the first prize winner, Amita Srivastava in second place, and Sudha Suryam in third, with Lakshaki Gupta receiving a consolation prize. In the Sketching Competition conducted on 20th February 2025, Ashma Tirkey secured first position, followed by Yogita Kumari and Bhoomika Kapale in second and third respectively. Arya Singh and Prakhya Sharma were recognized with consolation prizes. A departmental Speech Competition held on March 2025 celebrated oratory and original thinking, with Sarita Bhatt winning first prize, followed by Smriti Verma and Nandini Vij in second and third positions respectively. Arya Singh was awarded a consolation prize. These competitions reflected the department’s ongoing commitment to fostering linguistic proficiency, critical reflection, and creative engagement.
In line with its academic mandate, the department published its annual research journal Tejas and the departmental newsletter Samprekshika. These publications included original student articles, and a comprehensive record of departmental activities throughout the year. They serve as enduring academic resources, reflecting the department’s dedication to excellence in teaching, research, and creative expression within the field of Sanskrit studies.
Annual Academic Meet
The Department of Sanskrit organized its Annual Academic Meet Samskriti 2025 on 29th March and 1st April 2025. The meet began with a speaker session on the theme “Role of Women in the Creation of Developed India: In the Specific Context of Sanskrit Shastra Tradition.” The session featured distinguished speakers: Prof. Kanta Bhatiya, Former Principal, Bharti College; Prof. Mamta Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Gargi College; and our guest of honour Prof. Anju Seth, Professor and former Principal at Satyawati College and alumna of Lady Shri Ram College. The speakers shared valuable perspectives on the representation and significance of women in Sanskrit literature and their role in societal progress in current scenario.The second day included inter-college competitions like Sanskrit Shloka recitation, Sanskrit Quiz, and Sanskrit Speech, along with cultural performances. With wide participation from various institutions, the meet concluded on an academically enriching note.
| Name | Areas of interest |
| Dr. Pankaja Ghai Associate Professor pankajaghai@lsr.edu.in | Dharmashastra and Kautilyarthashastra Publications and other works click here |
| Dr. Vandana S. Bhan AssociateProfessor (Teacher-in-charge) vandanasbhan@lsr.edu.in | Vyakaran and Kavyashastra Publications and other works click here |
| Vandana Rani Assistant Professor vandanarani@lsr.du.ac.in | Bhasha-Vigyan, Panini Vyakarana (Laghusiddhantakaumudi), Vakyapadiyam (Bhartrihari), Shakatayan Vyakarana Publications and other works click here |
| Mr. Surya dev Bahuguna Assistant Professor suryadevbahuguna@lsr.du.ac.in | Bharatiya Jyotish shastra and Sanskrit Literature Publications and other works click here |
President – Monica
Secretary – Bhoomika Kapale
Treasurer – Aashi Sawariya
The Sanskrit Department has been publishing its Annual Academic Journal ‘Tejas’ every year.
Tejas 2021-22
Tejas 2020-21
Samproshika 2019
Tejas 2018-19
Tejas 2017-18
Tejas 2016-17