The programme in Indian Studies at Sofia University was launched in 1983 within the Centre for Eastern Languages and Studies of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology.
Indian Studies is a philological subject at Sofia University but the curriculum includes courses in other fields of the studies on India as well. Taught as compulsory in the Indian Studies B.A. programme at Sofia University are three Indian languages - two contemporary (Hindi and Urdu) and one classical (Sanskrit). The other specialising on India compulsory courses at B.A. level are: Introduction to Indology, Contemporary India, Introduction to Indo-Aryan Linguistics, Hindi Phonetics and Morphology, Hindi Lexicology and Syntax, Ancient and Medieval History of India, Modern History of India, Vedic Literature and Culture, Ancient Indian Epic Literature, Classical Sanskrit Literature, Medieval Indian Literature, Modern Hindi Literature, Religions of India, Darśana: Indian Thought Systems.
The admission to the B.A. programme in Indian Studies follows a procedure common to the entire Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology. Upto twelve students are admitted in B.A. every year. The course of B.A. studies is of four academic years - 8 semesters (altogether 240 ECTS credits), includes internship and completes with defence of a thesis. For considerable part of the disciplines taught textbooks authored by members of the academic staff of Sofia University Indian Studies Section are used.
There is also a M.A. programme in Indian Studies at Sofia University which was started in 2001 as Indian Cultural and Social Studies, in 2007 a profile in Iranian Studies was added and currently it is part of the Indian and Iranian Cultural and Social Studies M.A. programme. The duration of the M.A. programme is of three semesters (90 ECTS credits).
In both programmes - B.A. and M.A., the corresponding credits follow the European requirements (30 per semester, 60 per year).
Indian Studies at Sofia University has also PhD programmes in Indian linguistics and Indian literature.
Teaching is in Bulgarian. Free courses in Bulgarian language are provided for foreign students who need to improve their Bulgarian.
Classes are held at the building of the Centre for Eastern Languages and Studies of Sofia University (address: 79 Todor Alexandrov Blvd.).
Sofia University Indian Studies Section is a member of the Central & Eastern European Network of Indian Studies (CEENIS).
The academic staff of Sofia University Indian Studies Section comprises of two Professors, two Associate Professors, two Senior Assistant Professors and a Researcher, along with a Guest Professor, a Visiting Professor from India and part-time lecturers.
Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Indian government, Sofia University students in Indian Studies are admitted regularly to the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan at Agra, India, for one academic year course in Hindi.
Graduates of Sofia University Indian Studies teach Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit and Indian literature at universities in Europe and the USA, work in the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other specialised institutions and departments of the state administration.
Professors and students of Sofia University Indian Studies have over 10 books published jointly - with translations from Indian languages and with articles on India.
Sofia University Indian Studies Section has hosted several international broad in scope conferences encompassing research on India in linguistics, literary studies, philosophy, history, religious studies, arts, etc.
A documentary on Indian Studies at Sofia University Part one
A documentary on Indian Studies at Sofia University Part two