Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies

The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), originally known as the Central University for Tibetan Studies (CUTS), was established in 1967 in Sarnath, Varanasi, India. Founded by Jawahar Lal Nehru and the 14th Dalai Lama, it aimed to address the educational needs of Tibetan youth displaced due to Chinese occupation and to preserve Tibetan culture by retranslating ancient Sanskrit texts into modern Indian languages.

The institute emerged during heightened tensions between India and China following the 1959 Tibetan uprising, which led to the Dalai Lama's exile in India. The university was initially supported financially by the Indian government and became an autonomous institution in 1977. It was officially recognized as a deemed university in 1988.

Today, CIHTS is renowned for its role in promoting Tibetology, restoring historical texts, and teaching the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The university attracts students from diverse Himalayan regions, including Ladakh, Spiti, and Nepal, offering courses in Tibetan medicine, astrology, and fine arts. Notable alumni include Samdhong Rinpoche, who served as Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile.

On January 14, 2009, during its inauguration by the Dalai Lama, CIHTS was renamed to Central University of Tibetan Studies, solidifying its status as a premier institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Tibetan culture and education.