CHENNAI: Can happiness be taught? IIT Madras thinks so. The institute is partnering with Rekhi Foundation for Happiness, an NGO, to establish the ‘Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness’. The centre aims to advance research and integrate happiness studies with academic curriculum.
The centre, which will come up in the department of management studies, will develop courses on science of happiness to be offered as credited elective subjects and with options for minors and majors later.
Happiness science is a branch within positive psychology that explores factors which influence wellbeing, positive emotions, satisfaction and resilience contributing to a fulfilling life. The centre will focus on developing and delivering courses that empower students to cultivate positivity, build emotional resilience and lead purposeful lives, said a statement from the institute.
The IIT-M centre will have a ‘mind lab’ equipped with cutting-edge tools for hands-on learning and practical application of ‘happiness science’.
“The objective of this initiative is to cultivate an ideal student-faculty environment reinforcing the idea that true learning and holistic personal growth extend beyond academic scores,” said IIT-M director V Kamakoti.
India ranks 118th out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Index 2025, trailing behind China (68) and Pakistan (109). Finland tops the index, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the table.
Similar centres at IIT Kharagpur, IIM Lucknow, IIM Amritsar and Amity University focus on research, training, and education to promote well-being. They also organise activities and workshops to help students and faculty apply happiness science and positive psychology in their daily lives.
Rekhi founder Satinder Singh Rekhi said it’s based on the philosophy that whatever one does unhappily, he or she can do better happily. “Happy people are more successful,” he said.
Beyond academics, the IIT Madras centre will conduct outreach programmes to help understand and promote happiness through scientific and philosophical approaches.