The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) in Sarnath, Varanasi, provides extensive financial assistance, monthly stipends, and scholarship programs funded by the Ministry of Culture (Government of India), the Department of Education (Central Tibetan Administration - CTA), and various national/international trusts.
Because CIHTS operates as a fully funded central autonomous institution, general tuition fees are heavily subsidized, and most regular enrolled students receive financial support.
1. Institutional Stipends & Free-ships
Monthly Student Stipends: Regular students enrolled in traditional degree programs (Purva Madhyama, Uttar Madhyama, Shastri, and Acharya) are eligible for institutional stipends to cover monthly living expenses, mess charges, and study materials.
Special Training Stipends: Selected candidates admitted to intensive post-graduate specialized courses (such as the 2-Year Post-Graduate Rigorous Training Program) receive higher research stipends of up to Rs. 25,000 per month.
Tuition Fee Waivers & Freeships: Full or partial tuition waivers are awarded based on academic merit and economic background, making education virtually free for eligible Himalayan and Tibetan border region students.
2. Government of India & Central Nodal Scholarships
Ministry of Culture Schemes: As CIHTS serves as a Central Nodal Agency (CNA) for the Ministry of Culture, research scholars engaged in Tibetan/Buddhist studies and classical text restoration can access specialized grants and fellowships.
UGC & National Scholarships: Enrolled students from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) and meritorious backgrounds can apply for standard national portals:
National Fellowship for Higher Education (NFHE) for M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars.
UGC Post-Graduate Merit Scholarships for university rank holders.
PM-USP (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan) scheme for higher education support.
3. Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) & Trust Fellowships
CTA Department of Education (DoE) Scholarships: Tibetan refugee students pursuing undergraduate, post-graduate, and professional studies at CIHTS qualify for merit and need-based financial aid managed by the CTA.
Dalai Lama Trust & Foundation Scholarships: Merit-cum-means awards provided annually to Tibetan students and scholars pursuing advanced studies (Acharya, Sowa-Rigpa, and Ph.D.).
Sikyong Professional & Graduate Fellowships: Financial support grants (ranging up to Rs.3 Lakhs) awarded to outstanding scholars pursuing specialized professional or research programs.
4. Research & International Fellowships
Doctoral (Vidya Varidhi) Research Fellowships: Ph.D. scholars who clear the UGC-NET/JRF or the institute's Research Entrance Test (RET) receive monthly research fellowships (JRF/SRF or institutional non-NET fellowship support).
Exchange & Fulbright Programs: CIHTS collaborates with organizations like the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) and the Fulbright Commission, offering exchange fellowships and travel grants for scholars conducting Indo-Tibetan language, art, and philosophical research.
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