New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- Central Sanskrit University (CSU), New Delhi, has received nearly 370 applications for 50 scholarships under the Setubandha Scholar Scheme launched in collaboration with the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) division of the Union education ministry to enable Gurukul-trained scholars to pursue research at premier Indian Institute of Technology (IITs). Under the scheme, selected candidates, eligible even without formal academic certificates, can earn recognised postgraduate and doctoral qualifications. They will also receive monthly scholarships of Rs.40,000 to Rs.75,000, an annual contingency grant of Rs.1-2 lakh, dual mentorship from CSU and IIT faculty, and access to advanced research facilities and workshops. While the scholars will conduct their research in IIT laboratories under dual mentorship, the final degrees will be conferred by CSU. Aimed at "recognising and supporting scholars trained in traditional Gurukul systems", the scheme on its portal says that it facilitates their "integration into mainstream academia" through PG and PhD degrees and it "bridges traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern academic frameworks". While CSU officials said that the move is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendations of preserving and promoting ancient culture and knowledge systems and traditions, experts from the science fraternity have termed the move "non-scientific, irrational and masquerading as inclusivity" and cautioned that the scheme risks diluting scientific temper. "We received 367 applications for 50 scholarships, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra in a month of the online application process. We are scrutinising the applications, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for written and oral tests having equal weightage of 50%, before the final 50 are chosen," CSU vice chancellor Shrinivasa Varkhedi told HT. In the written test, candidates will be assessed on Ashtadasha Vidyasthanas - the 18 foundational disciplines of traditional Indian learning, including Vedas, Vedangas, Upavedas, Puranas, Nyaya, Mimamsa and Dharmashastras. The oral exam, conducted by CSU and IIT experts, will evaluate their aptitude and depth of understanding of various subjects. "...We aim to complete the written and oral examinations by the end of September," said Varkhedi. D Raghunandan, president of the Delhi Science Forum, questioned the move and argued that while conventional education has transparent benchmarks - such as JEE scores or JRF cut-offs - no equivalent criteria exist for traditional systems. "At the very least, there must be a separate review or interview process to assess whether such students are ready for advanced research. Otherwise, we risk diluting the standards of scientific scholarship," he added. Jasdev Singh, founder of Vediconcepts, an organisation and website dedicated to advancing the cause of the Gurukul tradition, said the system is a residential form of education where students live with their teacher (guru) and receive holistic training in knowledge, skills, and conduct. Acharya Vishambhar of Gurukul Rewali, Sonipat, Haryana, said students usually enter Gurukul after the Upanayana ceremony at age 8 to 12 years, spend 6 to 20 years mastering texts and disciplines, and graduate through the Samavartana ceremony....