Setubandha Scholar Scheme  Latest News
Students, who have studied in traditional gurukuls, will now have the opportunity to earn recognised qualifications and receive generous scholarships for research at premier IITs under the Setubandha Scholar Scheme.
About Setubandha Scholar SchemeÂ
- It is the first national-level programme to formally integrate traditional scholars into the research ecosystem of IITs, without insisting on conventional degrees.
- It aims to bridge India's age-old gurukul tradition with modern scientific and academic inquiry.
- It is 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, and architecture to political theory, grammar to strategic studies, performing arts to mathematics, physics, and health sciences.
- Eligibility: It is based on a minimum of five years of rigorous study in a recognised gurukul and demonstrable excellence in Shastras or traditional knowledge.
- 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.Â
- It is a major shift in India's education policy, opening up elite research pathways for scholars from non-formal backgrounds rooted in classical learning.
Source: TOI
Setubandha Scholar Scheme FAQs
Q1: What is the Indian Knowledge System?
Ans: The Indian Knowledge System is a rich and diverse collection of knowledge, beliefs, and practices developed over thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent.
Q2: What is the Gurukul tradition?
Ans: The traditional Gurukul education system emphasized teacher-student bonding, self-discipline, and value-driven learning.
