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The Academic Link Between India and Nepal: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis
Context:
The recent incident at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, has brought attention to the challenges faced by Nepali students in India.
Foreign Student Enrolment in India
- According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22, 46,878 foreign students from 170 nations were enrolled in India.
- Nepali students formed the largest group (28%) among foreign students.
- Enrolment trends show a consistent increase in the number of Nepali students over the years, particularly in fields such as engineering, technology, and social sciences.
- Nepali students study across India, from Kashmir University in the north to Kerala University in the south, and from North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in the east to Gujarat Ayurveda University in the west.
- Increasing presence in IITs and IISc Bangalore indicates a shift towards advanced technological education.
Historical Context of Nepal-India Educational Relations
- Nepal’s academic ties with India date back to the gurukul system.
- During the Rana regime, education was limited to the elite, and many Nepali students went to India for higher studies.
- Key education hubs for Nepali students included Banaras, Patna, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, and Darjeeling.
- Tri-Chandra College (1918) in Kathmandu was initially affiliated with Calcutta University and later Patna University.
- Indian universities influenced Nepal’s higher education system, with curriculum, pedagogy, and examinations largely based on Indian models.
Colonial Influence and Nepal’s Educational Evolution
- Nepal was never colonised, yet its education system bore colonial influences through Indian affiliations.
- Before Tribhuvan University (1959), Nepal lacked postgraduate education, and most Nepali scholars pursued higher education in India.
- The National Educational Planning Commission (1954) aimed to Nepalize education.
- The New Education System Plan (NESP) of 1971 marked a shift towards independent policymaking in higher education.
- Despite these efforts, Indian-educated intellectuals continued to shape Nepal’s academic and policy landscape.
Steps taken by Indian Government to promote India- Nepal Education
- Scholarship Programme: The Government of India provides more than 1500 scholarships each year, covering study in India as well as Nepal and encompassing courses ranging from medicine, engineering, agriculture, business, nursing, Ayurveda & other traditional medicine, music, dance etc.
- Since 2001, around 38,000 Nepali nationals have been direct beneficiaries of the Government of India scholarships.
- ITEC Programme: For Government officials and other professionals, Nepal has been an important partner under the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program started in 1964.
- The ITEC has trained around 200,000 professionals, both defence & civilian Alumni in more than 160 countries, so far. Since 2007 alone, more than 2000 professionals, bureaucrats and defence personnel from Nepal have undergone this capacity building program.
- In the last two years, around 200 doctors, 20 judicial professionals, 50 Office of Attorney General, 180 Nepali Police officials have been beneficiaries of this ITEC program.
Challenges Faced by Nepali Students in India
- The KIIT incident highlights concerns over harassment, safety, and institutional response for Nepali students.
- Lack of institutional support and differential treatment create vulnerabilities.
- Instances of prejudice and administrative apathy can impact the trust and well-being of Nepali students.
Implications for Indo-Nepal Relations
- The Indo-Nepal Peace Treaty of 1950 provides for equal treatment of nationals in each other’s countries.
- Article 6 ensures national treatment, and Article 7 grants reciprocal privileges of residence, property ownership, trade, and movement.
- Violations of these provisions, as seen in the KIIT case, can strain bilateral ties.
- Addressing these concerns is crucial to maintaining educational and diplomatic goodwill between the two nations.
