ABOUT THE COURSE: This course offers a comprehensive study of ancient Indian religious traditions from the earliest primitive beliefs to the Pauranic systems. It examines religious ideas and practices of the Indus Valley Civilization, the philosophical and ritual foundations of Vedic religion, and their transformation in later periods. The course also explores key theological concepts such as Dharma, Atma, Brahma, and the emergence of sectarian and cult worship. Through this progression, students will gain a deeper understanding of the continuity and diversity of religious thought in ancient India. INTENDED AUDIENCE: UG/ PG/ PhD -- Instructor Bio Dr.Prachi Virag Sontakke Banaras Hindu University Dr. Prachi Virag Sontakke currently is associated with AIHC & Archaeology department, Banaras Hindu University as an Assistant Professor. She is an academician with over 15 years of experience in graduate and postgraduate teaching. Her area of specialisation is palaeoenvironment, prehistoric settlements and human adaptations. She excels in interdisciplinary studies in archaeology to derive fruitful correlation and inferences relating to past. She has delivered lectures and published her research on prehistoric and environmental archaeology, religion, art and mythology. Actively engaged in the academic community, she served as a session chair and convenor at international conferences and is a member of leading archaeological and environmental archaeology association.

New Delhi, 25 July 2026, The National Testing Agency (NTA), has invited applications for 16 Young Professional (YP) positions on a contract basis. The engagement will be done through the Pratibha Setu Portal of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and applications will remain open for 30 days from the date of publication of the notification.