Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, an Institution of Eminence, on Nov 19 announced the launch of India’s first B.A. (Research) in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences (IHS) – a transformative program designed to nurture professionals capable of navigating and shaping an increasingly complex world.
The launch event saw the participation from a large number of educators, school leaders, academicians, and policymakers, underscoring the growing recognition of interdisciplinary learning in India’s higher-education landscape.
Built on the University’s strong foundation in multidisciplinary education, the new B.A. (Research) program gives students a strong foundational curriculum that spans the natural sciences, social sciences, geo-politics, business, A.I. and other domains before they go on to choose one of three specialisations: Sustainability Studies; Archaeology, Heritage and Historical Studies;, or Society, Culture and Technology.
A striking feature of the new degree program is that class 12 student pass outs from any stream (Humanities, Commerce or STEM) are eligible to apply.
The program will be led by Professor Rajat Kathuria, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, along with distinguished faculty from the University. A student of this program will be equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world by understanding major global trends in geopolitics, climate change, AI and technology, economy and culture. Students will also build the skills, to pursue careers across academia, the private sector, government, international organisations and start-ups. They will be supported by experiential learning and responsible, ethical use of AI, with opportunities for live projects, fieldwork, field trips, exchanges, immersions and internships integrated into the curriculum.
Commenting on the program, Professor Rajat Kathuria, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said, “This new program redefines what it means to study Humanities in the 21st century. It combines academic rigor with practical learning, through live projects, fieldwork, and exchange programs, so that students are not just aware of the world but equipped to change it. We aim to create graduates who can think critically, act responsibly, and innovate ethically.”
A forward-looking curriculum
The four-year B.A. (Research) IHS program combines:
- A first-year core curriculum spanning the natural sciences, social sciences, business, ethics, digital humanities, AI, and communication
- Choice and flexibility, allowing students to pursue a B.A. (Research), B.A. (Honours), or B.A. (Research) with a minor
- A mandatory AI literacy module culminating in an Innovation Hub where students can build interdisciplinary AI applications
- Experiential learning through internships, campus-as-a-living-lab projects, global exchanges, and summer fieldwork
- Multiple pathways into careers across policy, sustainability, heritage, journalism, design, media, social research, and higher education
As global conversations increasingly revolve around climate resilience, cultural identity, ethical technology, and societal change, the Interdisciplinary Humanities and Social Sciences program equips students to think beyond conventional boundaries and push new ideas into action.
Speaking on the launch, Professor Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, said, “With this program, Shiv Nadar University strengthens its position as one of India’s most innovative higher-education institutions – committed to creating graduates who can think across disciplines, build depth across subjects, and contribute meaningfully to society.”
To enable access for exceptional talent, the University has announced ten full scholarships per batch, covering 100% of tuition fees for all four years, in addition to several university-wide scholarships and financial aid options.
