Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
Also known as CIHTS, CIHTS Sarnath, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies Sarnath, Central University of Tibetan Studies, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (Deemed to be University)
- Fees
- Contact us
- Courses
- 13+
- Established
- 1967
About Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies
The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) is a deemed to be university at Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, established under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and fully funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It began in 1967 as a special wing of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1968, became an autonomous body in 1977 and received deemed university status on 5 April 1988. The residential campus lies near the site of the Buddha's first sermon. NAAC accredited the institute at grade A (CGPA 3.10) in the second cycle in 2022, valid from 26 October 2022 to 25 October 2027. The institute reports 5 faculties, 12 departments and about 455 students.
Programmes run from pre-university to doctoral level: Purva Madhyama and Uttara Madhyama, the three-year Shastri (equivalent to B.A.) in Buddhist Philosophy, Bon Philosophy and Bhot Jyotish, a B.F.A., the two-year B.Ed., the four-year integrated B.A. B.Ed., the two-year Acharya (equivalent to M.A.) in Buddhist and Bon philosophy, Tibetan language and literature, Tibetan history and culture and Bhot Jyotish, an M.F.A., and the Ph.D. (Vidyavaridhi). The Sowa-Rigpa faculty teaches the Bachelor of Sowa-Rigpa Medicine and Surgery. Admission to most programmes is through the institute's own entrance examination (held on 28 June 2026 for the 2026-27 session at Sarnath and eight other centres), with counselling in July; the integrated B.A. B.Ed. uses the National Common Entrance Test of the NTA, and B.S.R.M.S. uses NCISM-NEET.
Highlights
The essentials students check first.
- Established
- 1967
- Institution type
- Deemed
- Location
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Affiliation
- Central Government-funded Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 (status since 5 April 1988), funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India; began in 1967 as a special wing of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and became an autonomous body in 1977
- Approvals
- UGC, NAAC A (2022)
- Programmes
- 13Science, Arts & Humanities, Education
- Also known as
- CIHTS, CIHTS Sarnath, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies Sarnath, Central University of Tibetan Studies, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (Deemed to be University)
- Website
- cihts.ac.in
Courses
13 programmes offered
| Course | Level | Specialisations |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts | Postgraduate | 5 |
| Bachelor of Arts | Undergraduate | 3 |
| BA + B.Ed Integrated | Integrated | 1 |
| Bachelor of Education | Undergraduate | 1 |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | Undergraduate | 1 |
| Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | 1 |
| Master of Fine Arts | Postgraduate | 1 |
Admission 2027
Entrance exams accepted
- CIHTS Ph.D. entrance test
- UGC NET/JRF
- CIHTS entrance examination
- NCET (NTA)
Admission cycle 2026-27 (notification of 27 April 2026): application forms by 11 June 2026, entrance examination on 28 June 2026 at nine centres including Sarnath, results on 3 July and counselling on 8-12 July 2026.
- Purva Madhyama, Uttara Madhyama, Shastri, B.F.A., Acharya and M.F.A.: the institute's entrance papers (Tibetan language, Hindi or English, subject paper), at least 35% in each paper, then merit and seat availability.
- B.Ed.: graduation with at least 50% (Shastri or equivalent) and Class X with Tibetan; three-paper entrance test.
- Ph.D.: master's degree with at least 55%; written test (50% to qualify) and interview; UGC NET and JRF holders as per UGC rules.
- Integrated B.A. B.Ed.: NCET (NTA). B.S.R.M.S.: NCISM-NEET.
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies: Frequently Asked Questions
Which courses does Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies offer?
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies offers 13 programmes in Science, Arts & Humanities and Education, including Doctor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Education.
Which entrance exams does Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies accept?
Depending on the course, admission to Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies is through CIHTS Ph.D. entrance test, UGC NET/JRF, CIHTS entrance examination and NCET (NTA).
What is the admission process at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies?
Admission cycle 2026-27 (notification of 27 April 2026): application forms by 11 June 2026, entrance examination on 28 June 2026 at nine centres including Sarnath, results on 3 July and counselling on 8-12 July 2026. : the institute's entrance papers (Tibetan language, Hindi or English, subject paper), at least 35% in each paper, then merit and seat availability.
Is Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies a government or private institution?
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies is a deemed-to-be university in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, established in 1967. It is affiliated to Central Government-funded Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 (status since 5 April 1988), funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India; began in 1967 as a special wing of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and became an autonomous body in 1977.
Which bodies approve or accredit Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies?
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies lists approval or accreditation from UGC and NAAC A (2022).
What other names is Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies known by?
Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies is also known as CIHTS, CIHTS Sarnath, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies Sarnath, Central University of Tibetan Studies and Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (Deemed to be University).
Sources
Courses and fees: as listed for Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies on CollegeChalo; confirm current fees with the college before applying.
Last updated 13 October 2026.
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