NEWS

• Launched under the name Setubandha Vidwan Yojana, this initiative represents a shift towards integrating India’s traditional gurukul scholars into elite academic spaces
• Spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and implemented via the IKS division of Central Sanskrit University, it targets talented individuals educated in classical systems without formal degrees.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Features & Eligibility

• Degree‑free access: Admission is open to candidates with a minimum of five years of rigorous gurukul training and proven excellence in Shastras or traditional scholarship—no conventionaldegree required. Max age limit: 32 years.
• Research Fellowships:
  • Category 1 (PG‑equivalent): ₹40,000/month + ₹1 lakh annual grant
  • Category 2 (PhD‑equivalent): ₹65,000/month + ₹2 lakh annual grant
• Disciplinary breadth: Supports research across 18 fields—ranging from Ayurveda, cognitive science, architecture, grammar, strategic studies, mathematics, physics to performing arts.

Strategic Rationale

• Aligns with NEP objectives to blend Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) with mainstream academic research.
• Recognises centuries‑old intellectual traditions as assets to contemporary science and public policy.
• Positions India to leverage global interest in Ayurveda, Yoga, Sanskrit, and indigenous governance models.

Broader Impacts

• Represents institutional validation for non‑formal traditional learning and historical undervaluation of gurukul scholars.
• Enhances inclusivity in higher education by enabling interdisciplinary dialogue between ancient and modern knowledge.
• Contributes to the NEP’s vision of modular, flexible education, fostering research diversity, cultural pluralism, and nation‑wide intellectual empowerment