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Pontifical Athenaeum also known by its Indian name Jnana Deepa has a history going back to 1893 when Pope Leo XIII founded the Papal Seminary in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and entrusted its direction and administration to the Society of Jesus. The charter of July 27, 1926, issued by the Holy See, elevated the Papal Seminary to the status of a Pontifical Institute with the rights and privilege... Read More
Dear Fr. Francis Gonsalves, Frs. Peter Ignatius, John Karuvelil, Nishant Irudaydason, esteemed faculty members... Read More
At the Pontifical Athenaeum, also known as Jnana Deepa in India, student activities are diverse and enriching. The institution promotes holistic development through various clubs and societies that focus on theology, philosophy, and social service.
The Women's Forum significantly contributes to the empowerment of both female students and faculty members. This platform serves as a vital space for discussing gender equality and leadership, fostering an environment of support and growth.
Pontifical Athenaeum provide students with a robust understanding of communication theories and practices. The program focuses on various forms of media, from traditional print to digital platforms, emphasizing the ethical dimensions of communication.
Discover the enduring wisdom of the world’s greatest philosophers and theologians, and how their teachings can illuminate our lives today.
Pontifical Athenaeum offers a comprehensive range of facilities and academic programs in philosophy and theology.
Pontifical Athenaeum is equipped with a well-stocked library, which supports interreligious dialogue and academic study in a wide range of religious and philosophical topics.
The campus is described as urban, located in Ramwadi, Pune, and provides a vibrant environment for both local and international students.
Our teachers are more than educators; they are mentors on a mission to illuminate minds and enrich souls through deep philosophical and theological exploration.
Since 1893 Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, has been pioneering philosophy discussion and debate inspired by prominent personalities like Richard De Smet, Jean de Marneffe, Salvino Azzopardi, Cyril Desbruslais, Noel Sheth, John Vattanky, etc. JD has been at the forefront of promoting Indian philosophy and making philosophical thinking relevant for contemporary times. In its effort to reach out to like-minded scholars, JD Philosophy Series is visualized as a catalyst for interdisciplinary thinking and contemporary exploration of social issues fostering holistic liberation, integral development, and creative engagement among various wisdom sources. Fr Dolichan Kollareth SJ is the General Editor. This year's publications are:
1. Roney George: Respect, Reverence and Responsibility (2023)
2. K. Pandikattu: Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Human Destiny
(2023)
3. S. Stephen Jayard: Can We Ever Know How Much We Don't Know?
(2023)
4. D. Kollareth: Beyond the Binaries: Transgender Identity and the
Philosophical Questions
(2024)
5. C. Desbruslais: Interpretations of Transcendence: With Special
Reference to the Hermeneutics
of Paul Ricoeur (2024)
The JD-ISPCK Theological Publications' Series is a new venture of Jnana Deepa (JD) in collaboration with the Indian Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (ISPCK), Delhi, with the aim of promoting Christian Literature, specifically in the fields of theology, scripture and spirituality. It seeks to promote interdisciplinary thinking and dialogue among religions, cultures, communities and secular movements. It also intends to provide academic perspectives on contemporary theological issues, and to share theological knowledge and expertise in a credible and convincing way. A committee has been formed to coordinate this series. The JD-ISPCK Theological Publications' Series was initiated in 2020. We had three publications earlier and two this year. This year's publications were Doctoral dissertations.
1) The Doctoral thesis of Dr. Herman Tirkey is titled Church and Cultural Identity: The
Challenges of Mission among the Uraons.
2) The title of Dr. George Cordeiro's book is Journeying Together: Exploring an
Interdisciplinary Model for an Effective Christian Spiritual Accompaniment.
I found JD Pontifical Athenaeum as a sanctuary where, intellectual reflection flourishes, dreams are woven and women lead confidently. This campus fosters empowerment, equality, and excellence. Every corridor echoes with encouragement, every classroom nurtures ambition, and every interaction uplifts. Proud to be part of a campus that celebrates women’s strength and resilience. More than just an education I discovered a home that empowers, mentors, and inspires, where women thrive, break barriers, and create their own narratives.
I am delighted to offer my heartfelt testimonial to the Pontifical Athenaeum, Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune. My time at Jnana Deepa has been incredibly transformative and enriching. The faculty’s dedication, the holistic curriculum, and the supportive community have all contributed to my personal and academic growth. The institute's integration of traditional teachings with contemporary perspectives has not only imparted academic knowledge but also provided me with invaluable insights into myself and my societal role. I wholeheartedly endorse Jnana Deepa as a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment, and I am immensely grateful for the experiences and wisdom gained during my time there.
I am happy to share my compliments about JD Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pune. where I did my two years of licentiate program in philosophy (2022-2024). During this time, I really enjoyed all the input sessions given to enrich my knowledge of philosophy and the atmosphere conducive for my stay and study. I thank all the teaching and non-teaching staff for their service.
I value Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology (Pontifical Athenaeum), Pune for its dedication to technological progress, benefiting student education and readiness for today's world. Their advanced technology demonstrates a commitment to innovation, enriching academic, administrative and student life.
The Faculty of Philosophy, JD, in collaboration with (GR Forum), University of Mumbai, hosted a two-day international conference on the theme “Buddhist Philosophy and Praxis: Dialogue and Coexistence in a Diverse and Precarious World” on 20–21 June 2025.
The academic year 2025–2026 at Jnana-Deepa (JD), Pune began with prayerful solemnity and enthusiasm on Monday, June 9, 2025, with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Papal Seminary Chapel by Most Rev. Bishop Malcolm Sequeira, Bishop of Amravati.
