The Jaya Prakash Narayan (JPN) National Centre of Excellence in the Humanities was established in October 2022 at IIT Indore by the Ministry of Education to initiate research, academics and outreach activities focusing on two areas, namely Digital Humanities and Environmental Humanities. The centre functions as a nodal place to foster collaborative initiatives at the intersection of language, literature and technology. The centre offers scholars a unique environment for extending the boundaries of traditional research using cutting-edge digital technologies.
The centre aims to facilitate cutting-edge research, education, and public engagement to cultivate a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, and practitioners who leverage digital tools, methodologies, and critical thinking to explore, interpret, and shape the digital landscape. Through research project partnerships and inclusive outreach, we aim to create knowledge and contribute to global scholarship in these areas.
To be a leading hub of innovation and collaboration in Digital and Environmental Humanities, advancing interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach at the convergence of Technology and the Humanities.
Named in honor of Jayaprakash Narayan—a visionary political thinker, social reformer, and champion of democratic ideals—the JPN National Centre was founded to advance interdisciplinary research and innovation in the humanities. The Centre seeks to bridge the divide between traditional humanistic inquiry and contemporary technological paradigms. With a focus on collaborative, cross-disciplinary work, the Centre promotes projects at the intersection of language, literature, digital technologies, and environmental studies, fostering a research ecosystem that is both socially responsive and globally relevant.
The J P Narayan National Centre of Excellence has completed two years and it is a pleasure to see the various projects, activities and academic programmes of the Centre. Since its inception, the centre has made significant strides in advancing research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting excellence in the humanities. Establishing the JPN National Centre of Excellence in the Humanities is a visionary endeavor aimed at creating a vibrant hub for innovative research, scholarly exchange, and intellectual engagement. Through the concerted efforts of our dedicated team and the generous support of our partners, we have successfully laid the foundation for a dynamic and inclusive academic community. The Centre is a representation of the Institute motto jnanam sarvajanahitaya — Knowledge for the benefit of all mankind. As we look to the future, I am confident that the JPN National Centre of Excellence in the Humanities will continue to serve as a beacon of intellectual excellence, fostering creativity, innovation, and critical inquiry in the humanities. Together, we will strive to advance knowledge, promote dialogue, and make a meaningful impact on society through our collective efforts.
Prof. Suhas Joshi
Director, IIT Indore
Over the past two years, the Centre has become a vibrant hub for Digital Humanities and Environmental Humanities, promoting research, academic programmes, and outreach activities. In 2024–2025, we introduced a highly interdisciplinary PhD curriculum that uniquely combines theory, practice, and computational tools. Our first research funding round supported 10 innovative projects through an open call, with recipients from IITs, public, and private universities. In 2024, a second round funded 19 additional projects. We also organised numerous lectures, workshops, and training sessions to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines. Moving forward, we are committed to expanding our influence through inclusive, transdisciplinary initiatives. I am very grateful to our faculty, researchers, and staff for their contributions. I look forward to many more years of impactful work.
Prof. Nirmala Menon
Convener, JPN National Centre of Excellence in the Humanities
The Environmental Humanities (EH) is an incredibly huge and untapped resource in targeting the sustainable development agenda. The deeper understanding of humanistic, historic, cultural, philosophical, ethical, social, aesthetic and just ways for “the environment” is what we aim as the Core EH Team of the JPN National Centre.
Professor Pritee Sharma
Co-Convener, JPN National Centre of Excellence in the Humanities