 By 1958, Melanchthon enrolled at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai, an affiliated seminary of the Senate of Serampore College (University), India's first University {a University under Section 2 (f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956} founded by the Baptist Missions led by Joshua Marshman, William Carey, and William Ward.He pursued a graduate programme in B. D. studying under notable faculty consisting of Sigfrid Estborn, who was teaching History of Christianity and Ecumenism, P. David teaching Religions, R. A. Martin who was teaching Biblical studies and Jacob Kumaresan teaching Systematic theology.His companions were Kambar Manickam, TELC, K. James Carl, SALC, G. Emmanuel, AELC and also M. Victor Paul, AELC, , TELC, T. B. D. Prakasa Rao, CSI, among others, who were studying at the seminary at varying periods of study.