logo
Govt throws open IITs for students from gurukuls; offers fellowships of upto ₹65k a month in 18 fields

Govt throws open IITs for students from gurukuls; offers fellowships of upto ₹65k a month in 18 fields

Time of India3 days ago
NEW DELHI:
Students who have studied in traditional gurukuls, even without formal academic degrees, will now have the opportunity to earn recognised qualifications and receive generous scholarships for research at premier IITs.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The move marks a major shift in India's education policy, opening up elite research pathways for scholars from non-formal backgrounds rooted in classical learning.
The initiative, titled 'Setubandha Vidwan Yojana', aims to bridge India's age-old gurukul tradition with modern scientific and academic inquiry. Backed by the ministry of education and implemented by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) division of the Central Sanskrit University (CSU), the scheme offers fellowships of up to Rs 65,000 per month across 18 interdisciplinary fields — from ayurveda to cognitive science, andarchitecture to political theory, grammar to strategic studies, performing arts to mathematics, physics, and health sciences.
'Setubandha is the first national-level programme to formally integrate traditional scholars into the research ecosystem of IITs, without insisting on conventional degrees. Instead, eligibility is based on a minimum of five years of rigorous study in a recognised gurukul and demonstrable excellence in Shastras or traditional knowledge,' said a senior MoE official. The maximum age to apply is 32 years.
Scholars selected under Category 1 (equivalent to postgraduate level) will receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 40,000 and an annual research grant of Rs 1 lakh.
Those under Category 2 (equivalent to PhD level) will be awarded Rs 65,000 monthly and an annual grant of Rs 2 lakh. Some of the recognised research areas include Anvikshiki Vidya (philosophy and cognitive science), Ganit-Bhaut-Jyotish Vidya (mathematics, physics, astronomy), and Bhaishajya and Arogya Vidya (Ayurveda and health sciences).
The scheme marks a significant institutional recognition of traditional knowledge systems, which for decades have operated outside formal academic structures. The NEP 2020 explicitly calls for the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into mainstream curricula and research, encouraging cross-disciplinary studies rooted in the country's intellectual heritage. With increasing global interest in ayurveda, yoga, Sanskrit linguistics, and indigenous governance systems, the govt sees this initiative as a way to empower traditional scholars and harness centuries-old wisdom for modern applications in science, technology, and social policy.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Adopt tech to overcome labour issues, farmers told
Adopt tech to overcome labour issues, farmers told

Hans India

time2 hours ago

  • Hans India

Adopt tech to overcome labour issues, farmers told

Nellore: Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy has urged the farmers to adopt scientific technology to overcome the burden of labour in cultivation. The Minister has distributed drone sprayers to four agriculture groups in Chinnabbipuram village of AS Pet mandal on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Ramanarayana Reddy said that the government has been bringing drastic changes in agriculture sector in the interest of uplifting the living standards of the farmers. The Minister said that at the same time, farmers must utilise the opportunities for securing better profits with less investments in the cultivation. He said the government proposed to offer each drone sprayer which would cost Rs 10 lakh for just Rs 2 lakh by providing Rs 8 lakh subsidy to the agriculture groups to make agriculture a profitable activity. He said that as many as 10 drone sprayers were sanctioned for Atmakuru constituency. Of these, four have been distributed so far. The Minister urged the farmers to utilise the sprayers as it will help them overcome the problem of hiring labour during the peak agriculture season. Earlier, the Minister took part in the Kumbhabikshem of Kodandarama Swamy temple in the village. District agriculture officer P Satya Vani and others were present.

Encyclopaedic Sanskrit dictionary portal provides free access to ancient knowledge
Encyclopaedic Sanskrit dictionary portal provides free access to ancient knowledge

Hindustan Times

time3 hours ago

  • Hindustan Times

Encyclopaedic Sanskrit dictionary portal provides free access to ancient knowledge

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan through videoconferencing launched the KoshaSHRI encyclopaedic Sanskrit dictionary portal and inaugurated the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems–Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Sanskrit (IKS-EDS) at Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune. The dual launch was part of the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on July 29, marking the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, according to a release issued by the college on Thursday. The KoshaSHRI Portal is a collaborative effort between Deccan College and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and represents one of the world's largest Sanskrit lexicography projects. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) The KoshaSHRI Portal is a collaborative effort between Deccan College and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and represents one of the world's largest Sanskrit lexicography projects. It builds on the project 'An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Sanskrit on Historical Principles' started in 1976 and has published 35 volumes. The academic resource is accessible for free at The portal includes search functionality by subject, author, grammar, and period, and provides access to 15 lakh digitised vocables and over one crore reference slips collected, documented and stored at Deccan College. Sanskrit font Koshashri enhances the portal's usability by supporting Vedic symbols, Roman diacritics, and English characters. The IKS-EDS Centre will train researchers in lexicography and promote academic partnerships with institutions working in the field of Indian Knowledge Systems. The Centre has been provided with 21 new positions, including 20 academic and one administrative post. The Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Sanskrit on Historical Principles was first conceptualised by Professor SM Katre in 1948.

Scientific beekeeping training concludes
Scientific beekeeping training concludes

Hans India

time4 hours ago

  • Hans India

Scientific beekeeping training concludes

Tadepalligudem (West Godavari): A three-day training programme on scientific beekeeping at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Dr YSR Horticultural University in Venkatramannagudem concluded recently. The workshop, attended by 20 rural women, youth and farmers, including B Tech (Engineering) graduates, focused on various aspects of apiculture, honey extraction methods, and the prevention of diseases and pests affecting bees. During the training, participants gained insights into the importance of beekeeping, different bee species, suitable varieties for rearing, essential equipment, and establishing a beekeeping enterprise. Comprehensive awareness was provided on precautionary measures, management practices, pest and insect control, by-products of beekeeping, propagation, seasonal hive management, honey collection, storage, and marketing. Dr P Vijayalakshmi from Krishi Vigyan Kendra engagingly explained the process of preserving bee eggs, how worker bees produce honey, and how bee colonies protect themselves. She noted that setting up four bee boxes per acre, along with necessary equipment for honey extraction, costs approximately Rs 25,000. Dr Vijayalakshmi highlighted that beekeeping in vacant spaces within horticultural farms can yield up to Rs 1 lakh per acre annually through by-products such as honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly, and bee venom. She also advised that cool areas with 50% shade are ideal for beekeeping, cautioning against establishing bee colonies near orchards sprayed with strong pesticides, railway tracks, or chemical industries. The programme saw the participation of Krishi Vigyan Kendra staff, including Dr Deepthi, ARYA Nodal Officer, and Dr Devi Vara Prasad Reddy, Scientist (Fisheries).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store