Nalanda University | World’s Oldest University

Nestled in the heritage-rich heartland of Bihar, India, Nalanda University carries forward a legacy of ancient scholarship. It holds a historic place among the pioneering centers of global scholarship. With a history dating back to the 5th century CE and a new incarnation launched in 2014, the university is a bridge between the intellectual heritage of the past and the global education of the future. Story of Nalanda University is not merely about restoration - it is one of resilience, international partnership and scholarly achievement.

Historical Significance of Nalanda

• The World's First Residential University

Long before global campuses became a trend, Nalanda University had already established the benchmark. Founded in the 5th century CE during the reign of Emperor Kumaragupta I, it's now commonly considered to be the world's first residential international university. At its peak, Nalanda hosted more than 10,000 students and 2,000 scholars from all over Asia—China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka—a buzzing center of world knowledge sharing.

What made it so remarkable? A curriculum that covered everything from logic, grammar and medicine to mathematics, astronomy and Buddhist philosophy. When the Chinese monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) arrived in the 7th century, he was impressed by its tough academics and its enormous three-part library system—Ratnasagara, Ratnodadhi and Ratnaranjaka—part of the celebrated Dharmaganja complex.

Nalanda was not merely a university; it was a revolution in learning—centuries before its time.

• Destruction and Decline

Nalanda prospered up to the 12th century CE when it was razed by the armies of Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turkish Muslim conqueror. The destruction of the university caused extensive loss of ancient Indian literature and manuscripts. According to accounts, Nalanda burned for several months, such was the vastness of its library.

Modern Revival of Nalanda University

• Re-establishment in 2010s

The concept of reviving Nalanda University picked up pace at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2006, where member nations, including India, China, Japan, Singapore and Australia, endorsed its rebuilding as a symbol of pan-Asian academic collaboration. With the passing of the Nalanda University Act in 2010, the Indian Parliament formalized the legal structure for the university’s modern re-establishment.
The university started functioning in 2014, first operating from a temporary campus in Rajgir, Bihar, with the aid of the Ministry of External Affairs (India). The new 455-acre green campus, opened in 2023, is India's first net-zero campus in terms of energy and waste, integrating ancient principles of sustainability with state-of-the-art eco-architecture.

• International Partnerships

In present times, Nalanda University functions as an international institution. Japan, China, Thailand, Australia and Laos have provided major financial and academic assistance. Japan, for example, donated USD 1 million and Thailand donated 10 million Thai Baht. This multinational cooperation resonates with Nalanda's ancient heritage as a global center of learning.
 

How Nalanda University is Redefining Global Education through Ancient Wisdom and Modern Vision

In an age of innovation, global challenges and cultural interdependence, education needs to evolve — not just through technology, but through wisdom. Nalanda University is ideally placed in this shift. Building on its historical heritage as one of the earliest residential universities in the world and integrating it with a global model of academics, Nalanda is providing an innovative learning experience.

Let's find out how Nalanda University is contributing to the future of higher education:

Why Choose Nalanda University?

So, why are students from across the globe opting for Nalanda University for a globally relevant and historically rooted education? Here are a few of the primary reasons why it is becoming the first choice for scholars and professionals in search of a richer, multidisciplinary academic experience.

1. Academic Programs and Schools

Multidisciplinary Approach

Nalanda University recognizes that students in  the modern times want more than a degree—more than a piece of paper, they want purpose, depth and context for their education. Whether your passions are in environmental sustainability, classical philosophy, historical research or intercultural diplomacy, Nalanda has a variety of carefully crafted programs based on intellectual seriousness and interdisciplinary imagination.

If you are a future student who is curious about why Nalanda University is different, the following academic programs give you a sense of how the university combines ancient heritage with modern applicability. If you are starting your intellectual journey or extending your research interests, Nalanda's programs are designed to meet your intellectual interests, professional aspirations and need for impactful contributions.

The modern Nalanda University offers postgraduate and doctoral programs across several disciplines, inspired by its original curriculum and contemporary global needs. The current schools include following academic programs at Nalanda University thereby bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance:

Unique Features Across All Programs:

• Language Proficiency Tracks in Pali, Sanskrit, Classical Chinese and Tibetan.
• Interdisciplinary Seminars where history converges with environmental science or religion with diplomacy.
• Residential Learning Model with academic community living — supporting peer learning, intercultural dialogue and mentorship.
• Hands-on Research Projects with fieldwork in Southeast Asia, Himalayas or Indian heritage sites.
• Career Pathways include academics, international organizations (e.g., UNESCO, UNDP), NGOs, policy think tanks and cultural institutions.

Nalanda University: Programs, Duration & Tuition Fees (2025)

Nalanda University provides globally relevant education anchored in Asia's intellectual heritage and supported by low-cost tuition as well as dedication to residential study. Whether you're pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree, the university ensures affordability without compromising academic excellence. The following table illustrates major programs, their terms of study and the relative tuition fees of Indian and international students. All other residential fees as well as service fees have also been presented to give you a complete picture of the financial commitment.

Note: Tuition fees are exclusive of residential and meal charges.

Residential & Meal Charges per Semester

Each semester spans approximately 4.5 months. Accommodation is subject to availability and is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional Fees

• Admission Fee (One-Time, Non-Refundable): ₹6,000 (Indian Students) / $93 (International Students)

• Security Deposit (One-Time, Refundable): ₹6,000 (Indian Students) / $93 (International Students)

• Miscellaneous Charges (Per Semester): ₹2,500 (Indian Students) / $39 (International Students)

• Thesis Submission/Evaluation Fee (Ph.D. Programs): ₹15,000 (Indian Students) / $231 (International Students)

All fees are subject to change as per university regulations.

Admissions and International Student Body

Admission to Nalanda is competitive and the university calls for applications from students all over the world. Currently, as of 2024, there are students from more than 30 nations enrolled, such as Vietnam, South Korea, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The university aspires to keep an Indian international student ratio of 70:30, an indication of its vision to be a genuinely global learning environment.

Faculty and Research

Faculty at Nalanda consists of scholars with university teaching experience at universities such as Oxford, Harvard, University of Tokyo, JNU and Delhi University. The focus is on small class sizes, collaborative research, and mentoring. Principal areas of research are:

• Climate resilience and sustainable development
• Buddhist textual studies and translations
• Conflict resolution and peace-building in South Asia
• Cultural heritage preservation
   

2. Campus and Infrastructure

Eco-Conscious Design

The Nalanda campus is a sustainable, solar-powered, and zero-waste campus. Highlights include:

• Net-zero energy systems with solar panels on all major buildings
• Rainwater harvesting units and recycled water irrigation
• Traditional architectural motifs derived from ancient Nalanda ruins
• Smart classrooms and digital libraries with access to JSTOR, Project MUSE and other international academic databases

This makes Nalanda not only a learning hub but also an exemplar for green universities globally.

Rankings and Global Recognition

Nalanda University may be a comparatively youthful institution, yet it has long been accumulating prominence for its visionary academic thinking as well as by virtue of history. In the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) 2024, Nalanda University ranked 45 among Indian universities, proving its growing presence in India's higher education space. Internationally, the AD Scientific Index 2025 has ranked Nalanda in the top 1,500 universities in Asia and top 4,000 public institutions worldwide, evidencing its expanding academic influence, especially in inter-disciplinary fields and sustainability research. These rankings reaffirm Nalanda's evolving status as a global learning hub motivated by its ancient past and modern relevance.

While the university is not seeking traditional global ranking competitiveness, Nalanda prioritizes special academic fields such as Buddhist studies, sustainable development and peace studies—fields underrepresented in the standard ranking systems.
 

Global Relevance in the 21st Century

Repositioning India in Asian Higher Education

India is increasingly becoming a destination for foreign students in search of alternative global education experiences. Nalanda has a critical role to play in this repositioning: 

• It is an Asian equivalent of Western liberal arts colleges with emphasis on ancient wisdom, ethics and international peace studies.
• India had 49,348 foreign students (AISHE Report) as of 2023 and Nalanda will be projected to increase its international proportion by a considerable amount by 2027.

Diplomatic and Strategic Importance

The university is also strategically soft-power important:

• It is a part of India's Act East Policy to enhance relations with ASEAN countries.
• Nalanda is an academic diplomacy instrument, projecting India as a knowledge civilization and not a postcolonial nation.
• India hosted the Nalanda Dialogue, an international academic conference, in 2022 with scholars and policymakers from 15 nations.

Obstacles and Opportunities

Funding and Scalability

Despite international support, the Government of India remains the major source of funding for the university, with a budget of over INR 270 crore (around USD 32 million) every year. Scaling up infrastructure without compromising on quality is a challenge in terms of finance and logistics.

However, opportunities include:

• Developing joint degrees with universities in Japan, Singapore and EU
• Creating online and blended learning models
• Creating UNESCO, UNDP and Asian Development Bank-funded research chairs
   

Balancing Tradition with Innovation

The second major challenge is that of balancing traditional values and contemporary expectations. Although Nalanda is grounded in Buddhist philosophy and Indic epistemology, it must also respond to STEM-students, digital-era researchers and employability-driven curriculums. New developments in 2024–25 include:

• A mooted Center for AI Ethics and Dharma Traditions
• A digital Knowledge Commons Portal to utilize ancient manuscripts with AI transcription tools
• Workshops on climate-smart agriculture and Himalayan biodiversity

Student Life and Culture

Nalanda life is organized around community learning, cultural celebrations, and socio-spiritual health. The campus is not residential for faculty to enable more integration with students. Yoga classes, meditation retreats, nature walks and public lectures are part of the routine. Students engage in:

• Nalanda Debating Society
• International Peace Forums
• Interdisciplinary Research Colloquia
• Outreach programs among Bihar's rural communities
• Sustainability workshops and rural outreach

Research, Faculty and International Collaborations

The faculty comprises researchers from leading international institutions such as Oxford, Tokyo University, Harvard, JNU and DU. Research areas of focus are:

• Climate change and Himalayan ecology
• Buddhist textual translation and ethics
• Conflict resolution in South Asia
• Ancient manuscript preservation with AI

Recent developments (2024–25):

• Center for AI Ethics and Dharma Traditions
• Digital Knowledge Commons Portal
• Research chair for Indo-ASEAN cooperation sponsored by Thailand and Singapore

Career Prospects and Placement Data

Nalanda University provides an educationally intensive environment with career focus based on inter-disciplinary learning and worldwide relevance. Boasting a persistent placement rate of 95%–98% (according to authentic student testimonials), the university passouts enjoy vigorous research training, extensive faculty mentorship and curriculum developed with regard to sophisticated challenges globally.

Graduates have been placed in international NGOs, civil administrations, policy think tanks and top-ranked academic institutions in India and overseas. MBA in Sustainable Development and Management program, in fact, had successful placements with GIZ India, World Resources Institute, Social Enterprises International (UK) and Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, among others.

Focus of Nalanda is on environment governance, Buddhist thought, global policy and intercultural communication prepares students with future-ready leadership and analysis skills. Having an expanding network of alumni and institutional collaborations from Asia, Europe and Africa, Nalanda is more and more identified as a starting point for action-oriented international careers.
 

Admissions at Nalanda University

The application process is entirely online for admissions into the university, reflecting the institution's commitment to sustainability and global connectivity.

Application Requirements

Prospective students must submit the following:

• A completed online application form
   
• A Statement of Purpose (SoP)
   
• A self-introductory note
   
• Academic transcripts and relevant documents
   

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s Programs

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent GPA
   

Ph.D. Programs

• Master’s degree with at least 65% marks or equivalent GPA
   

Preference given to candidates with a master’s dissertation or an M.Phil. with 60% marks

International Applicants

Nalanda University also invites foreign students officially and provides special support to facilitate easy academic and cultural adaptation into campus life.

For complete admission information and deadlines, applicants are requested to check the official admissions website of the university.

Nalanda University Admissions 2025

Applications open for all students. Keep watching this space for additional details.
Currently, the University is offering the following programs:

Masters (M.A./M.Sc./M.B.A.)

• M.A. in Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma) 02 Years
  M.A. in World Literature 02 Years
  M.B.A. in Sustainable Development and Management 02  Years (With an Exit Option after 1 Year with Diploma)
  M.Sc. in Ecology and Environment Studies 02 Years
  M.A. in Historical Studies 02 Years
  M.A. in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions 02 Years
  M.A. in International Relations and Peace Studies 02 Years
  M.A. in Archaeology 02 Years
  M.A. in Economics 02 Years
  M.A. /M.Sc. in Mathematics 02 Years
  M.A. in Philosophy 02 Years
  M.A. in Hindi 02 Years

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) -

• PhD in World Literature (English) 04 Years
  PhD in Sustainable Development and Management 04 Years
  PhD in Ecology and Environment Studies 04 Years
  PhD in Historical Studies -Archaeology -International Relations and Peace Studies 04 Years
  PhD in Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions -Hindu Studies (Sanātana Dharma) 04 Years

Apply Now

Note- All applicants must demonstrate a strong command of the English language, as all courses are delivered in English. Accepted English proficiency tests include TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, PTE, and STEP.

Conclusion

Nalanda University blends ancient heritage with modern global relevance, offering interdisciplinary education rooted in peace, sustainability and cultural exchange. As 2025 admissions open, it stands as a rare institution where timeless wisdom meets future-ready leadership—an idea reborn for presently interconnected world.