It is a matter of immense pleasure to welcome you to an updated version of the site of Centre for Persian and Central Asian Studies (CP&CAS). It was established on 07th of January 1971 as the Centre for African & Asian Language (CAAL). Language teaching program of CP&CAS is unique and it is the only of its kind in India.
The Centre of Persian & Central Asian Studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University offers BA (Hons.) I, M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. Programmes in Persian, and BA (Hons.), M.A., and Certificate in Pashto Language. The Language Laboratory is being used to develop the Language proficiency of the students and develop their skill in the art of interpretation a well. Besides Modern Persian Studies, it also excels in Translations, Area Studies of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, Indo-Iran Relations, Ancient Iranian Studies, History of Persian Language and Literature and Stylistics in Modem Persian Literature. Sufism, Medieval Indian Culture and Civilization, Indo-Persian Literature and a host of other academic topics that come within the purview of Persian & Central Asian Studies, are also given due place in the broad curriculum of the Centre.
Keeping in view the utility of inter-disciplinary approach, the Centre also offered service courses to the students of West Asian Studies, School of International Studies and Centre of Historical Studies in School of Social Sciences. The Centre has been offering maximum numbers of optional courses to the students of other Centers in SLL&CS. Special Course of Persian for the PG students of Urdu in CIL are being taught by the faculty members of CP&CAS Understanding the growing significance of Central Asia in global geopolitics and culture, the Centre has expanded its academic offerings to include courses in Central Asian Languages. Uzbek language studies are already a hallmark of the Centre's innovative approach, with optional courses and a structured Certificate and Diploma program currently available. From the coming academic session, the Centre plans to introduce an Advanced Diploma in Uzbek Language, enabling learners to achieve higher proficiency and deeper insight into Uzbek Culture and Society. In addition to its Uzbek programs, the Centre envisions further expansion in the domain of Central Asian Linguistics. Plans are underway to introduce courses in Kazakh, Turkmen, and Kyrgyz Languages. These additions will provide students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with the diverse Linguistic and Culture of Central Asia, Under the Indo-Afghan Cultural Exchange Programme, the Centre of Persian and Central Asian Studies has invited a distinguished Visiting Professor from Kabul University to teach Pashto Language.
To further strengthen Pashto studies, the Centre has established a dedicated Pashto Chair with the support of the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India. The Centre currently offers B.A. and M.A. programs in Pashto, providing comprehensive training in Language, Literature, and Culture. Plans are also underway to introduce a Ph.D. programme, fostering advanced research in Pashto Language and its rich literary heritage. Research is a cornerstone of the Centre's mission. It encourages scholarly inquiry into historical connections, cultural exchanges, and literary traditions spanning Persia, Central Asia, and South Asia. The faculty members apart from teaching regular courses take keen interest in offering research supervision to research scholars and contribute significantly to the field through publications, seminars, and collaborative projects with national and International Institutions.