Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi : Admissions 2026, Courses, Fees & Placements

Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi was established in 1967 with the vision of educating Tibetan youth in exile and students from Himalayan border regions. Initially functioning as a special wing of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, it was granted autonomous status in 1977 and later declared a Deemed University on 5 April 1988 by the Government of India. Founded under the guidance of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, CIHTS is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Its primary mission is to preserve Tibetan culture, Buddhist philosophy, and ancient Indian sciences that survived in Tibetan translations but were lost in their original Sanskrit form. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in areas such as Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan language and literature, Sowa-Rigpa (traditional medicine), and teacher education. It houses specialized centres including the Shantarakshita Library, Sowa-Rigpa Medical College and Hospital, and research wings dedicated to translation and preservation. CIHTS emphasizes academic research, cultural preservation, and global collaborations, making it a unique institution that bridges Indian and Tibetan traditions. Accredited with the highest NAAC grade (5 stars), the institute continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Indo-Tibetan studies and intercultural dialogue.