New Delhi: Adding yet another feather to its cap, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started a doctoral programme on Sri Aurobindo, an evolutionary philosopher, scholar and 'guru'.

The varsity said the doctoral programme along with diploma and masters degree would enrich the young generation with the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, his expertise and contribution to nation building.

IGNOU Vice Chancellor Professor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai said the programmes would promote in-depth study and research into yogic vision.

Conducted jointly with Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research (SACAR), Puducherry, the doctoral programme will also have subjects like metaphysics, yoga, psychology, social and political thought, vision of spiritual poetry, literature and contemporary literary criticism.

Authorities said that with the programme on Sri Aurobindo, IGNOU has included philosophy in its curricula for the first time since its inception almost three decades ago.

"The initiative is a positive response to the need of dissemination of relevance of integrated philosophy and vision of Sri Aurobindo for the younger generations, who are seeking solutions to complex day to day problems," Pillai said.

Students pursuing PhD in this field will have a short stint (at least three weeks) at SACAR campus for direct contact with scholars already working in this field. The PhD programme will be completed in three years' time. IANS