Prof. Baidyanath Labh

A luminary scholar of Buddhist Studies in India and abroad. Presently holding the post of Vice Chancellor of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh as well as Chairman of Pali Development Board. Earlier, he served Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (Bihar) and Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh as Vice Chancellor. Both of these institutes are under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He has to his credit publication of over 100 articles and 28 books on Buddhism and Indology.

Dr. Lalit Gupta

Dr. Lalit Gupta is an art & cultural historian. He is a Museology and History of Art postgraduate from the faculty of fine arts, M.S. University, Baroda, India. His doctorate is on the “Buddhist Art and Architecture of Western Himalayas with Special reference to Jammu Shivaliks”. He taught art history at the Department of Art History and Aesthetics, Institutes of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA), University of Jammu. He has authored a book on the ‘Intangible Heritage of Jammu’. His research assignments include as Senior Consultant for ICHR’s exhibition “Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through the Ages” (2024), and Project Director of ICHR’s project on the ‘Place Names of Jammu’, Ministry of Culture’s Senior Fellowship for a ‘Directory of Artistic and Cultural Sites of Jammu’ and Documentation of ‘Sacred Springs of Jammu’ for J&K Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages. He has also scripted/directed documentaries on the art heritage of Jammu for the Archaeological Survey of India, Department of Culture and India’s official TV Channel, Doordarshan.

Prof. Saswati Mutsuddy

Prof. Saswati Mutsuddy is a Professor and Head in the Department of Pali, University of Calcutta, and Convener of the PhD Research Advisory Committee. With over two decades of academic service, she has made significant contributions to Pali literature, Buddhist studies, and education. A recipient of prestigious awards and fellowships like Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship for Doctoral Studies (1998), UGC National Eligibility Test for Junior Research and Fellowship & Lectureship (1998-2001). She has delivered lectures in India and abroad, chaired academic sessions, and guided numerous PhD scholars. Dr. Mutsuddy is associated with several national and international academic bodies and currently she is the Vice president of Mahabodhi Society of India and Secretary, Indian Society for Buddhist Studies, Jammu.
  She is the Member of Academic Councils of Sanchi University of Buddhist Indic Studies, Tripura University; Board Member, Departmental Research Committee, The Sanskrit College University, Kolkata; Life Member: The Asiatic Society, Indian Philosophical Congress, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, and several other prestigious bodies.

Dr. Suresh Kumar

Born and brought up in Jammu and Kashmir, India Dr. Suresh Kumar is presently working as Assistant Professor, Department of Buddhist Studies, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (Bihar). Earlier he served as Assistant Director (Research) in Indian Council of Historical Research- An autonomous organization under Ministry of Education, Government of India. He had also been nominated a Member of State Advisory Board for the Development of Pahari Speaking People by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (2014-18).
  In his academic endeavor, he has attended and presented papers in more than 70 national and international seminars/conferences in India and abroad so far and has the credit of publishing one book entitled Buddhist Ethics: Relevance and Impact on Contemporary Society and 27 Research papers in the journals of international repute. He has done his PhD and Master Degree in Buddhist Studies and Master Degree in Physics from University of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India. His areas of research and teaching are Pali language and literature, Buddhist Ethics, and Comparative Religion (Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam).
  Dr. Suresh has been honoured with Dadhi Mahanta Memorial Social Science Research National Award (2021), Student Pride Award (2013), Cultural Secretary Award (2008), Vice-Chancellor award (Jammu University; 2003) and Commendation Certificate Class-I (Police Head Quarters, Rajouri-Poonch Range, 2003) for his excellence in services rendered through Culture, NSS, Sports, Social Service with exemplary dedication and commitment to strengthen communal harmony, integrate society through youth in the larger interest of nation.
  Dr. Suresh has the credit of qualifying the UGC Junior Research Fellowship and National Eligibility Test (JRF-NET) in 2009 on his first attempt. He holds the distinction of being the first student from the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Jammu, to be awarded this prestigious fellowship since the department's inception. This achievement reflects his strong academic foundation and commitment to scholarly excellence in the field of Buddhist Studies.
  Dr. Suresh is also associated with many academic and social organizations. He is well-known for his writings and speeches on the contemporary issues. He has good experience in the field of research, administration, teaching and journalism.

Dr. Niharika Labh

Dr. (Mrs.) Niharika Labh is a distinguished scholar in Buddhist Studies, with a Ph.D. from Jammu University on the role of the Bhikshuni Sangha in the development of Buddhism, based on Pali sources. She has taught as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Delhi since 2011 and is a life member of several scholarly societies. Dr. Niharika has presented over 50 research papers at national and international conferences and published extensively on Buddhist philosophy, ethics, and history. Her academic work reflects a deep engagement with social issues, gender studies, and environmental concerns within the Buddhist framework.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Das

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Das is working as Associate Professor at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (Deemed to be University), Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Nalanda (Bihar). Dr. Das spent more than thirty years in Leh (Ladakh) by engaging himself in various academic works in various capacities.
  He worked as Assistant Professor at Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Deemed to be University), Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Leh (Ladakh) for more than ten years. He authored a book on Ladakh titled ENSIGHT LADAKH in 2009.He edited the Encyclopedia of Himalayan Buddhist Culture, Vol.2 (Ladakh), part I and part II in 2011 and 2012. Dr. Das has edited four books on Buddhism in Ladakh. More than 110 research articles have been published in various books and journals under his authorship. He attended more than thirty national and international seminars in the country. Four research scholars have successfully been awarded Ph.D. degree under his supervision.

Dr. Santosh Priyadarshi

Dr. Santosh Priyadarshi, Assistant Professor, School of International Studies, and Head, Department of Buddhist Philosophy, Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies is a Post-graduate and Ph.D. in Pali and Buddhist Studies from BHU, Varanasi. He qualified UGC- JRF in triple subjects viz.Pali, Baudha-Jain-Gandhi and Peace Studies as well as Comparative Study of Religions. Prior to joining Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, Sanchi, Raisen, M.P., he was engaged as (Dr. S. Radhakrishnan) Post-Doctoral Fellow-UGC, New Delhi. He has more than ten years of Administrative, academic, research experience and is well versed in Brahmi, Sharada, Nagari, Nevari, Dev-Nagari and Roman scripts.
  He has published more than thirty research papers in coveted journals. He has presented more than forty research papers in the prestigious National and International conferences. Dr. Priyadarshi is an active member of various professional bodies including Epigraphical Society of India, Mysore and Indian Society for Buddhist Studies, Jammu. His areas of specialization are Pali and Buddhist Studies (Abhidhamma Philosophy), Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhist Sanskrit Literature and Buddhist Philosophy. Four research scholars have successfully been awarded Ph.D. degree under his supervision.

Professor T.N. Satheesan

Professor T.N. Satheesan currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, as well as the Chairperson and Professor of Malayalam in the Department of Modern Indian Languages at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.
  An accomplished academic and researcher, Professor Satheesan has guided seven M.Phil. and four Ph.D. scholars, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of linguistic and literary studies. His research portfolio includes significant projects such as a Minor Research Project on language use and attitudes among linguistic minorities, and a UGC-sponsored Major Research Project focused on the descriptive catalogue of Malayalam manuscripts in North India. A prolific writer and translator, he has authored several scholarly books and rendered important literary works into translation, thereby enriching cross-cultural and multilingual literary traditions. His scholarly contributions are widely recognized, and he is an active member of several esteemed academic bodies, including the Linguistic Society of India, All India Oriental Conference, Indian Society of Buddhist Studies (Executive Committee Member), and the Comparative Literature Association of India.

Dr. Sanjay Paikrao

Dr. Sanjay Paikrao is Assistant Professor in the Department of History & Ancient Indian Culture, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He has been teaching History & Archaeology for the last 15 years. His specialization in the field of Buddhist Art, Architecture & Archaeology. His 50 research papers are published in various reputed journals.
He is an expert invitee of the Akhil Maharashtra Itihas Parishad. He has also served as the Joint Secretary of the Marathwada Itihas Parishad.
  He is also Joint Secretary of the Alumnia Association of the Department of History & Ancient Indian Culture, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. He was General Secretary of the Icon & Sculpture Research Foundation Chatrapati Sambhajinagar. His active Contribution in various activities as a student, social, cultural, educational & more importantly regional development these important movements he was involved.

Dr. Swarupa Charan

Dr. Swarupa Charan is currently serving as visiting faculty at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, where she teaches Buddhist Studies with a focus on Ambedkarite thought. A scholar of Pali, her work delves into the historical and cultural legacy of Buddhism in Undivided Bengal. Formerly a UGC Research Fellow under the India Look East initiative at the University of Calcutta, she has contributed to research on Buddhist education in India and Bangladesh. A published author and conference speaker, Dr. Charan is a life member of the Indian Society for Buddhist Studies and the Asiatic Society.

Prof. Ambalicka Sood Jacob

Professor and Head, S.S.S., Department of Fine Arts; Dean Faculty of Arts and Culture, Punjabi University, Patiala. Coordinator, Five Years Integrated Programme, Performing and Visual Arts.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar Verma

Dr. Mukesh Kumar Verma is working as Associate Professor and Head Department of Buddhist Studies and Coordinator, PG Diploma in Buddhist Heritage and Tourism Management at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda (Bihar). Dr. Verma did M.A., M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from University of Delhi. He worked as Assistant Professor (Guest) at University of Delhi, Research/Faculty Associate in School of Buddhist Studies & Civilization at Gautam Buddha University. He worked as Assistant Professor in School of Buddhist Philosophy at Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies.

  Six M.Phil. and five Ph.D. degrees have already been awarded under his supervision while four research scholars are pursuing Ph.D. under his supervision. He has authored around 30 research papers which have been published in the national and international journals and books. His area of research is Buddhist Studies, Epistemology and ethics. He has been awarded as the best research paper by Akhil Bharatiya Darshan Parishad and Darshan Parishad, Bihar.

Dr. Priya Saxena

Dr. Priya Saxena is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Ancient History and Culture, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly UP. She serves as Associate Director in the Directorate of Research, MJP Rohilkhand University. She is a Co-coordinator in Women Grievance Cell of University. Her research area is Art, Iconography, Archaeology and Buddhism. She is working on a project entitled as Archaeological Exploration at Sankisa Tracing Historical Narratives and Cultural Dynamics awarded by U P Higher Education Research and Development grant. She has attended more than 50 International and National Conference in India, Bhutan and Bangladesh. She has published more than 30 research papers in reputed Journals. She is a active member of academic bodies as Uttar Pradesh History Congress, Itihas Sankalan Yojana and Indian Society for Buddhist Studies.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Dr. Ashwani Kumar is working as Assistant Professor in Centre for Comparative Religions and Civilizations, Central University of Jammu, Jammu. He is working on one research project Title: “Celestial Union: Multidimensional Exploration of Buddhism and Kashmir Saivism in Jammu and Kashmir “awarded by Indian Council Philosophical Research Government of India. He is guiding one research scholar as a research supervisor. He worked as contractual lecturer from 12.09.2018 to 21.03.2023 in the Department of Buddhist Studies University of Jammu. He qualified UGC-NET/JRF (December 2010). Besides this, He did his Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies, University of Jammu, and Jammu on the topic “Psycho- Ethical Analysis of Suttavibhaṅga” 2018.
  He has published number of research papers in national journals. He has also participated in various national offline and online workshop. Besides this he has also presented approximately 20 papers in national and international conferences. His area of interest in Early Pali Literature, Buddhist Philosophy, Indian Philosophy, Buddhist Code of Conduct.

Ms. Mithu Lahiri

Mithu Lahiri is a promising scholar in the field of Pali literature and Buddhist philosophy. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. research at the Department of Pali, University of Calcutta, focusing on the practical applications of Buddhism in everyday life. Prior to this, Mithu earned an MPhil in Pali, along with master’s degrees in both Pali and Buddhist philosophy. Her academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in Sanskrit. Mithu has already made notable contributions to the field, with several publications in national and international journals and presentations at conferences. Her work has been particularly well-received for its emphasis on applied Buddhism and its relevance to contemporary society. Her research interests center on exploring the practical aspects of Buddhism as found in Pali literature, and how these teachings can be adapted and implemented in the modern world.
  She is a member of The Asiatic Society of Kolkata and an executive member of the Indian Society for Buddhist Studies.

Dr. Pallabi Mukherjee

Assistant Professor, Samrat Ashok Subharti School of Buddhist Studies, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, India (since 24th January 2022). Coordinator, Online Learning Program in Buddhist Studies, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University. Member, Department of Research and Cultural Committee, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University.

Dr. Ajay Kumar Maurya

Dr. Ajay Kumar Maurya is Academic Counsellor in the Department of Philosophy, IGNOU, New Delhi. He had received ‘Governor Award’ by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2013;‘Bodhi Ratna Award’ by the Buddha Vāni Magazine, Allahabad in 2014; “Best Achiever Award 2020’’ by the Limca Book and Global Achiever, India (OVIYALAYA) in 2020, “Bhagvan Buddha Fellowship National Samman 2021’’ by the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academy, New Delhi in 2021 and “Bharat Mata Abhinandan Samman 2022” by the Bharat Mata Abhinandan Sangathan, Haryana in 2022. His five books are ‘Khuddakapātha’, ‘Sigālovādasutta’, ‘Dr. B. R. Ambedkar ka Samajik Chintan’, ‘Cariyapiṭaka’, ‘Bauddhacarya-Vidhi’, have been published. His 25 research papers which have been published in national and international journals and books. His area of interests is Theravada Buddhist Philosophy, Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy and Pāli Literature.

Professor Rana Purushottam Kumar Singh

He is a Professor in the Department of Buddhist Studies ,Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda. His Specialization is in Pali Abhidhamma

Dr. Arvind Rituraj

Dr. Arvind has over 30 years of professional experience spanning diverse fields such as teaching, journalism, religious studies, Buddhist studies, Pali, research, and social services. He is known for his expertise and contributions to various academic and media domains.

Currently, Dr. Arvind serves as an Associate Professor at the Centre for Comparative Religion and Civilization, Central University of Jammu. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Professor at the Guru Gobind Singh Department of Religious Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala.
Dr. Arvind's professional background also includes significant experience in journalism. He worked as a Senior Reporter cum Researcher at The Hindustan Times Group in New Delhi from 2005 to 2011. His career in journalism began in the mid-1990s, where he worked as a Reporter for Dainik Hindustan (2000-2005) and Dainik Navbharat Times (1995-2000). Additionally, he was a Freelance Journalist in Delhi from 1990 to 1995.
Dr. Arvind has published over 1000 articles/reports in major newspapers, edited 3 books, and authored 5 books. He has written 6 book chapters and has contributed 15 research papers. He has participated in more than 50 seminars, conferences, and workshops. He is proficient in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Pali, Sanskrit, and Punjabi.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan Sharma

Dr. Arindam Bhattacharya