No degree? No problem! Govt lets Gurukul scholars join India's top institutions, including IITs, with fellowships up to Rs 65,000

Time of India

4 days ago

The Indian government has thrown open the gates of its top-tier institutions, including IITs, to students from India's
traditional gurukul system
, even if they don't hold formal academic degrees.
As reported by The Times of India, the initiative is called
Setubandha Vidwan Yojana
, and it's designed to bridge India's ancient knowledge systems with modern academic research. Under this scheme, scholars from gurukul backgrounds can now apply for research fellowships at IITs and other institutions, earning up to Rs 65,000 per month, along with annual research grants.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Please select course:
Select a Course Category
Healthcare
PGDM
Design Thinking
Management
Technology
Data Science
Degree
Data Science
Others
Leadership
CXO
Project Management
Public Policy
Digital Marketing
Operations Management
Artificial Intelligence
Data Analytics
Product Management
Skills you'll gain:
Financial Analysis in Healthcare
Financial Management & Investing
Strategic Management in Healthcare
Process Design & Analysis
Duration:
12 Weeks
Indian School of Business
Certificate Program in Healthcare Management
Starts on
Jun 13, 2024
Get Details
What's Special About the Programme?
This is the first national-level initiative to recognise the depth of traditional learning in Shastras and
Indian knowledge systems
(IKS) without insisting on school or college degrees.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency
Planet Spark
Learn More
Undo
Instead, to apply, students must have:
At least five years of study at a recognised gurukul
Proven knowledge in fields such as Sanskrit, Ayurveda, philosophy, mathematics, or classical arts
The programme is backed by the
Ministry of Education
and implemented by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Division of Central Sanskrit University (CSU).
Two Categories of Fellowships:
Category 1 (Postgraduate-level): Rs 40,000/month + Rs 1 lakh/year grant
Category 2 (PhD-level): Rs 65,000/month + Rs 2 lakh/year grant
Fields of research include:
Anvikshiki Vidya (Philosophy and Cognitive Science)
Ganit-Bhaut-Jyotish Vidya (Maths, Physics, Astronomy)
Bhaishajya Vidya (Ayurveda and Health Sciences)
Sanskrit Grammar, Performing Arts, Political Theory and more
A senior Education Ministry official told TOI, 'Setubandha is a bold step to formally welcome traditional scholars into India's mainstream academic system. It gives value to deep knowledge, even if it comes without conventional degrees.'
Rooted in NEP 2020 Vision
This move follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which called for integrating Indian knowledge systems into mainstream education.
NEP
reimagined learning as holistic, inclusive and rooted in India's civilisational heritage, while embracing global standards.
Live Events
In just five years, NEP has already transformed classrooms:
More children are learning in mother tongues
Play-based learning has replaced rote methods
Girls' enrolment and female PhD rates have doubled
14,500 PM Shri Schools are being developed as future-ready learning hubs
Digital tools like Diksha, PM e-Vidya, and Swayam have made education accessible to millions. Over 5.3 crore learners have enrolled in online platforms.
Why This Matters
India has long celebrated thinkers and scholars from its traditional schools of learning. Yet, until now, these minds were largely left out of formal academic spaces like IITs and major research institutions.
With this bold step, India recognises that wisdom isn't limited to formal classrooms. Whether in ayurveda, language, astronomy or music, traditional scholars now have a pathway to contribute meaningfully to 21st-century science and policy.
Inputs from TOI