Surbhi Jain

Surbhi is a doctoral researcher at SOAS University of London, pursuing her PhD in Jaina philosophy with a specialisation in hermeneutics. Her research explores the evolution of the concept of Anuyoga within the exegetical tradition and examines its role in interpreting Jaina scriptures. 

Through this work, she aims to trace the historical development and philosophical implications of Anuyoga as a framework for understanding scriptural knowledge in the Jaina intellectual world. Her study seeks to contribute to broader discussions on interpretation and meaning in Indian philosophical traditions. Alongside her doctoral studies, Surbhi actively participates in the academic community at SOAS by attending seminars and training on research methodology, project development, and textual interpretation. 

These engagements have further refined her analytical approach and deepened her interdisciplinary understanding of South Asian thought. Surbhi’s academic journey reflects a strong and sustained engagement with Jaina studies, classical languages, and Indian philosophy. She pursued an M.A. in Prakrit and Jaina Āgama (2023–2025) from Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University. Before this, she earned an M.A. in Philosophy (2022–2024) from the University of Mumbai, where she studied both the Indian and Western philosophical traditions. 

Her philosophical training at Mumbai University has provided her with a solid foundation for approaching Jaina hermeneutics from both traditional and modern perspectives. Her earlier education includes a B.A. in Sanskrit and Jainism (2019–2022) from Udaipur under the Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University. During her undergraduate studies, she also attended various seminars and completed a certificate course on Prakrit known as the Prakrit Prathama. Surbhi’s academic interests include Jaina scriptural exegesis, Prakrit and Sanskrit literature, and the study of other Indian philosophical systems. Through her research, she aspires to bring greater scholarly attention to the interpretative methodologies developed within the aims and to highlight their continuing relevance in understanding classical Indian thought.

• Jaina hermeneutics, with a particular focus on the historical evolution and interpretive function of Anuyoga and Anuyogadvāra
• Exegetical traditions within both Śvetāmbara and Digambara schools, and their methodological developments
• The role of commentarial literature in shaping doctrinal understanding and scriptural interpretation
• Comparative Indian philosophical traditions, especially where interpretive frameworks overlap or diverge
• Study of classical languages (Prakrit, Sanskrit, etc.) that provide access to primary Jaina texts.