North India Institute of Post-Graduate Theological Studies (Jointly Sponsored by Serampore College and Bishop’s College)

1. A Brief History of NIIPGTS

The post-graduate programme of NIIPGTS is in keeping with the ethos and glorious histories of both Serampore College (1818 to the present) and Bishop’s College (1820 to the present). According to the prospectus issued on 15th July 1818, the Serampore College was to be for the Instruction of Asiatic Christian and other youth in Eastern Literature and European Science. The preamble of the College Prospectus stated: “This College shall secure instruction in the Sungskrita language of all the native Christian youth admitted and of a certain number of Arabic and Persian …”. The study of English and the classical oriental languages, Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian occupied a prominent place in the College. To these were added such subjects as Science, History and Philosophy. The medium of instruction was the vernaculars. The College authorities wanted the students to read the Hindu Shastras. To quote the Prospectus: “It (the College) shall secure their being further instructed in the various Shastras of the Hindoos and in the doctrines which form the basis of the Pauranic and Boudhist systems. They shall also be instructed in those which relate to Hindoo-law”. William Carey wanted the Christian youth “to enjoy highest literary advantages of their own country as fully as the highest castes among the Hindoos”. If too long had Indian education been the monopoly of Brahmins, Carey wanted India’s children from every class to become scholars and through the programme of NIIPGTS it is this vision of Carey that is implemented.

The Right Reverend Thomas Fanshaw Middleton, the first Bishop of Calcutta on November 16th, 1818, wrote to the Rev. A Hamilton, secretary to the Incorporated Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts recommending ‘the establishment of a mission college’. The purpose of the college included: (a) of instructing native and other Christian youth in the doctrines and disciplines of the church, in order to their becoming preachers, catechists and schoolmasters; (b) for teaching the elements of useful knowledge and English language to Mussulmans or Hindoos, having no object in such attainments beyond secular advantage. When permission was granted, immediately, the desire of the Bishop was expressed in another letter that the college must be capable of educating pupils not only from the different parts of India but from all over Asia. The wider vision of the founder was expressed in yet another letter thus: “the college … is all that I can contribute towards an university near this capital; and with the blessing of God … it may bid fair to be the foundation of what, in future ages, may become the University of Calcutta”. The foundation stone of “Bishop’s Mission College”, commonly called “Bishop’s College” was laid on 15th December 1820 at the Sibpur campus and the first batch of students were admitted on 9thof March 1824. The college gave prominence to research and writing from the time of its first principal W. H. Mill who was a Sanskrit scholar. The college had its own printing press. It produced in the 19th century scholars of stature such as Krishna Mohun Banerjea who was to become the President of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Calcutta, Krishna Mohun who could present a paper on the ‘Nature and Importance of Historical Studies’ as early as 1838, at the first meeting of the Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge, while he was still a student at Bishop’s College. A. J. Appasamy, S. K. George, J. G. Arapura, Y. D. Tiwari, were just some of the famous Indian thinkers associated with Bishop’s College in the 20th century and today through its programme for higher theological education NIIPGTS is continuing such a glorious tradition of creative Indian Christian thought.

The North India Institute of Post-Graduate Theological Studies, jointly sponsored by Serampore College and Bishop’s College, started functioning in June1980. The preamble of its constitution worked out by the joint sub-committee of both the colleges on 3rd May 1979 states:

With a view to avoid duplicating the work in post-graduate teaching and in order to offer jointly what the two colleges cannot effectively offer individually, Serampore College and Bishop’s College propose to set up a joint faculty consisting of competent staff drawn from both colleges. Such an institute would meet a pressing need for a Centre of advanced theological study and research in North India. The two colleges … would share their resources of personnel and library for advanced theological education.

The management of the Institute acts under the authority of the Bishop’s College Society and the Council of Serampore College. A member of the faculty of either college appointed for a period of three years acts as the Registrar of NIIPGTS. Dr. W. S. Rhodes, Dr. D. V. Singh, Rev. S. D. C. Alagodi, Dr. D. A. K. Mondal, Dr. K. David, Dr. A. Behera, Dr. D. K. Sahu, Dr. T. Hembrom, Dr. Siga Arles, Dr. V. J. John and Dr. Ivy Singh(present) have been Registrars of the Institute. The Institute is administered by a Management Committee consisting of the Principals of both the Colleges, the Registrar, the Dean of Doctoral Programme, as well as all the professors of the Institute. The academic programme in each branch of study offered by the Institute is administered by a departmental committee consisting of all the professors of the department and the NIIPGTS Registrar.

Doctoral Programme in Religions (D.Th)

NIIPGTS encourages research and promotes advanced theological education not only through the M.Th. courses offered but also through the NIIPGTS seminars and Faculty Research Programme and above all through the Doctor of Theology programme which was inaugurated on 9th July 1999. The doctoral programme of NIIPGTS is administered by a doctoral committee with a Dean who will be appointed by the NIIPGTS Management Committee for a period of three years and who will keep the Management Committee informed about the day to day functioning of the programme. The Dean of Doctoral Programme is to give special attention to the work of the D. Th. Candidates and is to prepare reports on the candidates for the Committee for Research of the SATHRI. Two candidates have already completed their doctoral studies and at present there are eight doctoral students doing research in the branch of Religion under NIIPGTS.

2. Aims and Objectives

The contemporary challenges that the church in India faces in the context of religious awakening and cultural pluralism, the issues of poverty and justice, and the concerns raised by liberation movements call for a contextual and holistic approach to higher theological studies paying also attention to our heritage. The M.Th and D.Th degree programmes of NIIPGTS are as such a creative response in North India. The perspective from which the programmes are envisaged underlines the following facets: (a) the study of Asian languages, cultures, patterns of thought and behaviour; (b) the cultural, ideological and religious plurality of our societies; (c) the legitimate aspirations of all people for justice, freedom, dignity and a life worthy of humanity; (d) The ecumenical dimension of all Christian thinking in relation to the unity of the Church, unity of faith, the integrity of creation, and sensitivity to all other dimensions of our life – local, regional and global.

The main objectives of the Programmes are:

(a) To train candidates for teaching in theological colleges.
(b) To promote the formation of well equipped Christian teachers, leaders, communicators, writers and scholars.
(c) To equip candidates with adequate academic tools and skills for critical and methodological reflection as well as creative participation in the diversified ministries of the Church.
(d) To provide leadership for shaping the self-understanding and structures of the Church, which are relevant for fulfilling its God-given vocation in the world.
(e) To promote critical and creative research in specialized fields of knowledge related to the life, heritage and mission of the Church as well as contextual Christian faith, and to advance the frontiers of knowledge.
(f) To encourage independent and original research using integrated and inter- disciplinary approach in theological education.

3. The Faculty

Rev.Dr. Timothy Hembrom, Professor of Old Testament, Bishop’s College
Rev.Dr. K. P. Aleaz, Professor of Religions, Bishop’s College
Rev.Dr. V. J. John, Professor of New Testament, Bishop’s College
Rev.Dr. Sunil M. Caleb, Professor of Systematic Theology, Bishop’s College
Rev.Dr. Lalchungnunga, Professor of Political Science, Seramore College
Rev. Dr. Ivy Singh, Professor of Systematic Theology, Serampore College
Rev.Dr. Somen Das, Professor of Systematic Theology, Serampore College
Rev. Dr. Pratap Chandra Gine, Professor of Communication, Serampore College
Dr. Prabhakar Bhatacharya, Professor of Philosophy & Religions, Serampore College

Adjunct/Visiting Faculty

Rev.Dr. Roger Gaikwad, Director, Extn. Programme, SCEPTRE, Kolkata
Rev.Dr. M. M. Ross, Director, D.Min. Programme, SCEPTRE, Kolkata
Fr. Dr. Paul Simick, Professor of New Testament, Morning Star College
Fr.Dr. John Romus, Professor of Systematic Theology, Morning Star College
Dr. Jeyashree Chatopadhyaya, Professor of Sanskrit, Kolkata

MASTER OF THEOLOGY DEGREE COURSE

Admission Requirements:

The following persons may be permitted to register for the M.Th. Degree programme of study:

1. A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College in Second Class with B- Grade (55%) and passed at least 3 papers at B.D. level securing at least Second Class B- Grade in the Branch in which he or she plans to do the M.Th. course. (this clause shall be applicable for Registration till the year 2003) [See Secn. 7 (b) for B.Th. upgrading candidates]
2. A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College in Second Class with B- Grade (60%) and passed at least 3 papers at B.D. level securing at least Second Class (B Grade) in the Branch in which he or she plans to do the M. Th. Course. (this clause shall be applicable for Registration from the year 2004) [See Secn. 7(b) for B.Th. upgrading candidates]
3. A person with B.C.S. degree of Serampore College in II Class with B Grade (60%) will be permitted to register for the M.Th. course in the fields of Christian Ministry and Social Analysis provided they undergo a period of exposure/Practical work of at least 6 to 8 months prior to admission through the post-graduate college where he/she seeks admission and passes the qualifying papers at the required standard (B Grade) in these branches. Requests for admission to other branches will be determined by the Committee on Academic Administration.
4. A person who holds academic qualification that in the opinion of the Committee on Academic Administration of the Senate of Serampore College at least equivalent to B.D. in First and Second Class B Grade.
5. (a) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing an over all average and branch average of 50% (C+) separately and retakes 4 papers at B.D. level in the intended branch of specialization and secures an average of 55% (B-) and not less than 50% (C+) in any course examined by the Senate, in one sitting. (this clause shall be applicable for Registration till the year 2003).

   Or

   (b) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing an average of 55% (B-) in the Branch of specialization with only 50% (C+) as the overall average and retakes 2 papers in that branch and 2 papers from other branches to be examined by the Senate and secures an average of 55% (B-) and not less than 50% (C+) in any paper in one sitting. (this clause shall be applicable for Registration till the year 2003).

6. (a) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing an over all average and branch average of 55% (B-) separately and retakes 4 papers at B.D. level in the intended branch of specialization and secures an average of 60% (B) and not less than 55% (B-) in any course examination by the Senate, in one sitting. (this clause shall be applicable for Registration from the year 2004).

   Or

   (b) A person who has passed the B.D. examination of the Senate of Serampore College securing an average of 60% (B) in the Branch of specialization with only 55% (B-) as the overall average and retakes 2 papers in that branch and 2 papers from other branches to be examined by the Senate and secures an average of 60% (B) and not less than 55% (B-) in any paper in one sitting. (this clause shall be applicable for Registration from the year 2004)

• (i) No candidate shall be allowed more than two attempts to complete the qualifying examination.
• (ii) Where college papers are not equivalent to the Senate full courses, the appropriate committee will decide
• (iii) All Qualifying examinations shall be conducted by the Senate.

Special Requirements:

1. Before a candidate is registered for the M.Th. course of studies, he shall have at least one year of practical experience in some field of Christian service after passing the B.D. or its equivalent theological degree. However, in the case of a candidate who seeks registration to the branch of Christian Ministry, two years of Practical experience in Ministry shall be required. The women candidates are exempted from this rule for the present.
2. A. B.Th. graduate who upgraded to B.D. should have passed at least 2 papers in his Branch of specialization as a part of his/her B.D. course. [Sec 6 (i) & (ii)]
3. For admission to the M.Th. course in branches of Christian Theology and Christian Ethics, courses taken under B.D. Branches of Theology and Ethics will be taken into account.
4. For admission to the M.Th. in Missiology, Social Analysis, Women’s studies and Communication, candidates will be exempted from writing 3 papers in there field of specialization at B.D. level until 2005 CE only. Instead, the P.G. Colleges offering these branches shall be required to conduct a minimum of 3 months intensive coaching in each of these branches prior to the admission of candidates to the M.Th. course in June each year.
5. It is expected of a student to write a Thesis at B.D. level. The Colleges offering M.Th. studies, however, shall take special care to help all candidates qualified to register for M.Th. who have not written thesis at B.D. level
6. Specific additional requirements for admission are given along with the details for each Branch of study.

Language Requirements:

In additional to the above, candidates are expected to fulfil the following requirements for admission to various branches.

New Testament:

The candidates should have passed in at least three Greek papers at B.D. level (other than the preliminary course, at least two in the case of candidates who have passed at least one advanced course in a classical Biblical language) with a minimum of Second Class average grade [as applicable in section 6 (i) & (ii)].

Christian Theology:

A candidate should have passed one course at B.D. level (other than Preliminary course) in either, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Syriac or Sanskrit.

Or

Possess ability to comprehend theological literature in German or French to be tested by a P.G. College.

Religion:

A candidate should have passed one advanced B.D. level paper in Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit or Arabic, conducted by the Senate. He should also demonstrate knowledge of the language related to his research for writing the thesis.

Application form cost for M.Th Rs. 200/- D.Th – Rs.250/- may be sent either by M.O or Draft drawn in favour of NIIPGTS.

For further information and application form write to:

The Registrar,
NIIPGTS Serampore College
Serampore 712201
Hooghly District West Bengal.