Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research

What Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research does

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research (SACAR) is a not-for-profit charitable trust established in Puducherry, India in 1998, with a staff of approximately 8. It functions as the dedicated Research Wing of the Institute of Human Study and was founded by Dr. V. Ananda Reddy to conduct in-depth academic study and research on the thought and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Its core activities center on original research, scholarly publication, and educational programming rather than technology development; the 'technology stack' is largely content-based — books, journals, audio-video archive, podcasts, and exhibitions.

SACAR's product surface spans a 15-volume book series ('Deliberations on The Life Divine'), two quarterly e-journals ('New Race' and 'Sri Aurobindo Darshan'), a curated physical library catalogue, the AURODARSHAN mobile app, a multi-language podcast series, the Auro Talks YouTube playlist library, and in-person/on-campus courses, seminars, workshops, and study camps. Its research output is supported by approximately 2,000 hours of audio-video recordings on Sri Aurobindo's works.

SACAR's monetization is typical of a small non-profit research trust: it generates modest one-time book sales (₹160-₹425 per volume across 44 titles), accepts donations/contributions, funds 2-year full-time and part-time research fellowships (₹40,000/month and ₹200,000/project respectively) using grant and donation inflows, and receives sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for select courses and large events such as the 150th Birth Anniversary programming. Its primary served audiences are three: individual scholars and academic researchers studying Sri Aurobindo's philosophy, spiritual seekers and Integral Yoga practitioners seeking structured guidance, and educational institutions (including partnerships with Pondicherry University and Nalanda University) seeking access to Indian philosophy and Integral Education resources.

Name

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research

Legal name

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research

Website

https://sacar.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SACAR is a Puducherry-based, 8-employee non-profit charitable trust (est. 1998) conducting scholarly research and education on Sri Aurobindo's philosophy via books, journals, fellowships, courses, and digital content for scholars, spiritual seekers, and educational institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philosophical Research and Spiritual Education

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

akta.pro primary industry

Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Humanities & Arts Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Philosophical research
• Spiritual education
• Scholarly publications
• Integral yoga studies
• Indian philosophy

Headquarters

HQ city

Puducherry

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Book Sales: SACAR operates a shop selling books including the 'Deliberations on The Life Divine' series (15 volumes ranging from ₹160 to ₹425), monographs, and other publications on Sri Aurobindo's works.
2. Research Fellowships: Full-time research scholars receive Rs. 40,000 per month remuneration; part-time scholars receive Rs. 200,000 upon successful project completion.
3. Donations and Contributions: SACAR accepts contributions from supporters through various donation mechanisms to fund research activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SACAR is a research and educational charitable trust that conducts scholarly research into the philosophy and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. It produces and sells books (including the 15-volume 'Deliberations on The Life Divine' series), publishes two quarterly e-journals (New Race and Sri Aurobindo Darshan), offers online and on-campus courses, conducts seminars and workshops, distributes digital content via YouTube and podcasts, and runs exhibitions on Indian literature and culture. The organization also administers full-time and part-time research fellowships and operates the AURODARSHAN mobile application.

Product overview

Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research (SACAR) is a not-for-profit charitable trust established in Pondicherry in 1998, focused on in-depth study and research into the thought and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. SACAR operates as a research and educational organization offering a portfolio of products and services including: published books (notably the 15-volume 'Deliberations on The Life Divine' series), two quarterly e-journals ('New Race' and 'Sri Aurobindo Darshan'), digital content (Auro Talks YouTube series and podcasts), educational programs (courses, seminars, workshops, and camps), virtual exhibitions, a library catalogue, and a mobile application (AURODARSHAN APP). The organization aspires to be the foundation of 'The University of Tomorrow' and maintains affiliations with academic institutions including Institute of Human Study, Pondicherry University, and Nalanda University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Books (Deliberations on The Life Divine Series) Published books including the 15-volume 'Deliberations on The Life Divine' series by Dr. V. Ananda Reddy explaining Sri Aurobindo's magnum opus, priced between ₹160-₹425 per volume and sold to individual readers, scholars, and spiritual seekers.
• Auro Talks (YouTube Series) Free video series of talks outlining Sri Aurobindo's life and works, including playlists like 'The Magnificent Savitri' (12 scholar talks), 'Sri Aurobindo: Eternity's Delegate' (24 speakers), and 'Sri Aurobindo: A Visionary Among World Thinkers', available globally via YouTube.
• Podcasts Audio podcast series including 'Sri Aurobindo: Savitri' (chronological reading), 'Sri Aurobindo Darshan' (sadhak experiences), Tamil and Telugu 'Remembering the Mother with Gratitude', and 'Sri Aurobindo's Life and Works', distributed globally.
• Courses Online and on-campus educational courses including 'Orientation to Sri Aurobindo's Thought', 'Evolution of the Spiritual Man', 'Art as a means of self development' (sponsored by Ministry of Culture), summer internship programs, and joint short-term courses with Nalanda University.
• Seminars, Workshops and Camps In-person educational events including workshops on topics like Brahmi Script, 'Living Within' monthly study camps, intensive on-campus research programs, and seminars exploring Sri Aurobindo's works for individual participants.
• Journals (New Race and Sri Aurobindo Darshan) Two quarterly e-journals published by SACAR: 'New Race' (blessed by the Mother in 1964) and 'Sri Aurobindo Darshan', featuring research papers on Sri Aurobindo's philosophy for scholars and readers.
• Research Fellowships (Full-time and Part-time) Structured academic research programs for PhD holders and doctoral candidates: full-time fellowship at Rs. 40,000/month for 2 years with on-campus residency, and part-time fellowship paying Rs. 200,000 on successful 2-year project completion. Projects are framed under 'Sri Aurobindo's Five Dreams'.
• Exhibitions Virtual and physical exhibitions including 'Some of the Greatest in Indian Literature', 'Hampi', 'Unification of Bharat', and 'Indian Paintings' featuring artworks and literary texts.
• Library Catalogue Physical library catalogue with books on education, philosophy, yoga, and Sri Aurobindo studies, accessible through online search functionality for scholars and visitors to the SACAR campus.
• AURODARSHAN Mobile App Mobile application available on Google Play Store for accessing content related to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, complementing the digital content library.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 quarterly e-journals published: New Race and Sri Aurobindo Darshan
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institute of Human StudycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1964SACAR was conceived as a Research Wing of Institute of Human Study, which was established in Hyderabad in 1964 with the blessings of the Mother. The Institute is committed to disseminate Sri Aurobindo's words through various academic activities and has established various Trusts running Urban, Rural and Residential Schools.
• Pondicherry UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a quick link collaborator on SACAR website. Several scholars affiliated with Pondicherry University have conducted research at SACAR.
• Nalanda UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a quick link collaborator. Collaboration exists for short-term courses offered jointly.
• Ministry of Culture, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors courses including Orientation to Sri Aurobindo's Thought, Evolution of the Spiritual Man, and Art as a means of self development. Also sponsored the 'India's Evolutionary March' workshop and book publications during Sri Aurobindo's 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations.
• AurovilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. V. Ananda Reddy joined Auroville in 1971 and participated in its early efforts towards Human Unity. SACAR maintains connections with Auroville for spiritual and educational activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Institute of Human Study: SACAR's parent organization, established in Hyderabad in 1964 with the blessings of the Mother; runs urban, rural, and residential schools. Closely comparable in mission (disseminating Sri Aurobindo's thought) and affiliated governance.
• Auroville: International township near Puducherry founded on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's vision; offers education, research, and cultural programmes targeting a similar global spiritual-seeker audience.
• Sri Aurobindo Ashram: The spiritual community in Puducherry from which SACAR's lineage descends; it similarly publishes books, journals, and educational content on Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and runs managed residency programmes for spiritual seekers.

Emerging players

• Mother's Service Society: Aurobindo-related organization in Puducherry focused on social and educational research; operates in the same ecosystem and shares SACAR's mission of translating Sri Aurobindo's vision into practical programmes.
• Dayalbagh Educational Institute: Deemed university run by the Radhasoami Satsang; combines spiritual education with research and publications. Comparable niche as a faith-based research and education institution with publication programmes.

Broad incumbents

• Chinmaya Mission: Indian spiritual organization running educational institutions, publishing houses, and study programmes on Indian philosophy and scriptures. Comparable in blending publishing, courses, and residential spiritual programmes.
• Ramakrishna Mission: Large Indian spiritual organization with extensive publishing (books, journals like Prabuddha Bharata), educational institutions, and research centres. Comparable in combining religious publishing with formal education and academic discourse.
• Theosophical Society (Adyar): Long-established philosophical and spiritual organization headquartered in Chennai; publishes scholarly journals and books on comparative religion and philosophy, with a library and research activities similar to SACAR's model.
• Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan: India-based cultural and educational trust promoting Indian culture, philosophy, and Sanskrit; publishes books and journals and runs schools and universities. Similar in being a non-profit trust dedicated to Indian knowledge systems.

Regional players

• Sanskrit College and University: Indian institution focused on Sanskrit, Indian philosophy, and traditional knowledge systems with active publication and research programmes. Comparable in targeting the academic study of Indian philosophical traditions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLVlS9UhFDHsA0Elp244wnC4I4CVWd4Ei9
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sri-aurobindo-centre-for-advanced-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research