Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) is a deemed university situated at Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1967 as an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Culture. The institute offers UG, PG, M.Phil and PhD programmes. Admission to various courses is based on merit or an entrance examination conducted by the institute.
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Toggle| Established | Institute Type | 1967 | Autonomous |
| Approved by | UGC |
| Courses Offered | UG, PG, M.Phil & PhD |
| Admission Criteria | Entrance or Merit-based |
| Application Mode | Offline |
| Facilities Available | Hostels, Guest House, Wifi, Conference Halls, Sports |
| Official website | https://cihts.ac.in |
| Courses | Specializations | Details |
|---|---|---|
| B.A | (Buddhist Philosophy) Shastri | Duration: 3 years Eligibility: U.M II year from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing U.M II |
| (Tibetan Jyotish) Shastri | Duration: 3 years Eligibility: Jyotish U.M II year from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing U.M II | |
| (Tibetan Fine Arts) Shastri | Duration: 3 years Eligibility: Fine Arts U.M II year from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing F.A. U.M II | |
| BSRMS | Duration: 4 ½ years Eligibility: Bhot Chikitsha Vidya U.M II year from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Entrance Test after passing U.M II | |
| B.Ed | Shiskha Shastri | Duration: 2 years Eligibility: Shastri passed from CIHTS or B.A with Tibetan Language Selection Criteria: Entrance Test |
| B.A B.Ed | – | Duration: 4 years Eligibility: 10+2 Selection Criteria: Entrance Test |
| M.A | (Buddhist Philosophy) Acharya | Duration: 2 years Eligibility: B.D Shastri passed from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing Baudh Darshan Shastri |
| Tibetan Language | Duration: 2 years Eligibility: Shastri passed from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing Shastri | |
| Tibetan Jyotish | Duration: 2 years Eligibility: U.G. Tibetan Jyotish passed from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing U.G. Tibetan Jyotish | |
| Tibetan History | Duration: 2 years Eligibility: Shastri passed from CIHTS Selection Criteria: Direct admission after passing Shastri | |
| (Tibetan Fine Arts) Acharya | Duration: 2 years Eligibility: Fine Arts Shastri passed from CIHTS Selection Criteria Direct admission after passing Fine Arts Shastri | |
| M.Phil | Vishistacharya | Duration: 1 ½ years Eligibility: Acharya passed from CIHTS or equivalent Selection Criteria: Entrance Test |
| Ph.D | Vidyavaridhi | Duration: 3 years Eligibility: M.Phil Selection Criteria: Direct Admission |
Direct Admission is offered to the courses offered by the CIHTS. For some courses like B.Ed, Integrated B.Ed and M.Phil, the institute conducts its own entrance test.
The facilities provided to the students and faculty members of the institution are indicated below.
Campus life at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi is just phenomenal. The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and its Campus life provides lots of extracurricular activities like talent in dance, singing, art, literature, anchoring, event management, modelling and drama. Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies Varanasi campus life and environment is lively and friendly. The premises have sufficient facilities- medical help, food, and departmental store, etc. to fulfil every need of the students.
At Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies campus you get chance to groom your personality, learn something new. Also, All the festivals are celebrated with extreme enthusiasm at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies campus Varanasi so that students feel like home. Sports meet and annual college fests are huge stages for students to showcase their talent. Once you will graduate you will definitely miss the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi campus life.
Hostel
The campus is home to hostels to satisfy the requirements of accommodation for students. Hostel accommodation is among the most important aspects of the college experience, acting as the principal home for the vast majority of students. This is why the university is careful to construct hostels in a manner that they maximize the comfort of guests, create an inviting atmosphere and promote efficiency.
Medical Aid
The Boys Hostel is the home of an institute’s Allopathic Health Center. It provides all the facilities of a basic health center, along with a 4-bed Ward. In addition there is a doctor along with a pharmacy as well as other staff members to provide healthcare services and to send patients to the right place. Sowa Rigpa is a faculty part of the Traditional Tibetan Medicinal System at the Institute. The faculty has an outpatient clinic that provides consultations, as well as an dispensary selling Tibetan remedies that are made by the pharmacy of the institute. Its Sowa Rigpa clinic and dispensary is located in the New Academic Block.
Sports
On campus, CIHTS offers outstanding sports and leisure facilities. These include particular fields for football badminton, basketball, and yoga. The hostels all have gyms and fitness centre facilities to ensure that students are healthy and fit. Classes in yoga are offered to students in order to aid students in living an active lifestyle.
Library
The Santarakshita library is among the most famous libraries in the Buddhological as well as Tibetanological libraries around the globe. The library produces studies monographs, and restores extensively edited and translated older Buddhist texts. The library at the core of the institute contains 87000 books, xylographs and books and 2 000 bound periodicals editions.
Conference Halls
The campus also houses six conference halls in which all the workshops, meetings and seminars could be held.
Guest House
The Guesthouse is also available within the campus for guests or guests. It is equipped with all the essential facilities like rooms, beds, and halls.
Canteen
The campus has a cafeteria, which offers fresh and nutritious food. This is why these eateries are accessible to the students and staff to utilize.
Admission is open to all students who wish to enroll in the courses offered by CIHTS. For certain programs for certain courses, like B.Ed., Integrated B.Ed. as well as M.Phil., the institution offers its own admissions test for students.
1. What is the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS)?
The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) is a deemed university located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to the study and preservation of Tibetan culture, language, philosophy, and Buddhist studies. It was established in 1967 with support from the Government of India and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
2. Where is the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies located?
CIHTS is located in Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, a historically important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
3. Is the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies a recognized university?
Yes, CIHTS is a Deemed-to-be University recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
4. What courses are offered at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies?
The institute offers several undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in areas such as:
Tibetan Language and Literature
Buddhist Philosophy
Sanskrit
Tibetan Medicine (Sowa-Rigpa)
History and Culture
Translation Studies
5. What is the admission process for CIHTS?
Admission to CIHTS is generally based on entrance examinations conducted by the institute, along with eligibility criteria specific to each program. Some programs may also consider academic merit.
6. Who can apply for courses at CIHTS?
Students who have completed 10+2 for undergraduate programs and a relevant bachelor’s degree for postgraduate courses can apply. International students, especially from Himalayan and Buddhist regions, are also eligible.
7. Does CIHTS provide hostel facilities?
Yes, the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies provides separate hostel facilities for male and female students, along with dining and other basic amenities on campus.
8. What makes CIHTS unique among Indian universities?
CIHTS is unique because it focuses on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, culture, language, and traditional medicine, helping preserve ancient Tibetan knowledge and promoting Indo-Tibetan cultural exchange.
9. Are scholarships available at CIHTS?
Yes, eligible students may receive government scholarships, stipends, or financial assistance, especially students from Tibetan and Himalayan communities.
10. What career opportunities are available after studying at CIHTS?
Graduates from CIHTS can pursue careers in:
Teaching and academic research
Translation and interpretation
Buddhist studies and philosophy
Cultural preservation and heritage research
Tibetan medicine and traditional healing.