Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies at Sarnath in Varanasi is a Government-Central ‘deemed to be university’ established under section 3 of the UGC Act 1956. The Institute, being a residential one, is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was established as a special wing of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in 1967, was inaugurated by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama in 1968, and was declared ‘deemed to be University’ in 1988. Unique among universities in India, the Institute was established with a noble mission informed by a rich religious and philosophical tradition embedded in the ancient Nalanda School of Buddhism. The Institute emerged in 1967 from the critical struggle of the Tibetan diaspora, like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes. The lush green 29-acre campus is in Sarnath, a few minutes from Deer Park, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Conceived as an educational haven for the Tibetan youth in exile and the students from the Himalayan region, CIHTS has today been recognized as one of the best institutes of Buddhism and Indo-Tibetan Studies. The Institute enjoys the most coveted ‘A’ grade status by NAAC, conferred in 2022. Considering the success and importance of the Institute, in 2018, the Govt. of India honoured CIHTS with the Vaishak Prashasti Award.