PATNA, June 20 -- With four more Master's programmes being launched this year apart from the two introduced last year, Nalanda University has now six of them within a year to take the total number of such programmes offered at the famed varsity to 12. Besides, the University has introduced Post-Doctoral Fellowships, expanding its academic scope and reinforcing its role as a premier centre of research and higher learning, said a university statement. The Master's programme being offered are MA in Historical Studies, Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, and Comparative Religions, Hindu Studies (Sanatana Dharma), World Literature, Archaeology, International Relations and Peace Studies, Economics, Philosophy and Hindi. Besides, the university is also offering M.Sc in Ecology and Environment Studies and MBA in Sustainable Development and Management. The university began its academic session on September 1, 2014, from a makeshift venue at the International Convention Centre in the Buddhist pilgrim town of Rajgir, located barely 10 km from the ancient seat of learning. It was formally inaugurated by the then Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, on September 19. However, it was on June 19, 2024 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated its sprawling state-of-the-art campus net zero blending traditional flavour of the ancient seat of learning with modernity and inspired by the original monasteries. Since then, momentum has picked up. After a long wait, Nalanda University in May, 2025 got a regular vice chancellor with the appointment of professor Sachin Chaturvedi, director general of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), a New Delhi-based think tank. Since May 2023, after the end of an extended six-year tenure of Prof Sunaina Singh as VC, Prof Abhay Kumar Singh, professor & dean, School of Historical Studies, was the interim V-C of NU. Incidentally, Sunaina singh had also taken over the charge of the institution in May 2017 from an interim VC amid complete change of its governing board. The university has had a fair share of problems over the years and it is yet to gather the desired momentum. In its 11th year, it now has over 400 students, including 224 foreign students from 21 countries, enrolled with Master's Programme for academic year 2024-2025 in eight Masters and PhD programmes. It has also started admitting students through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for the first time to boost intake. With new programmes, the numbers are expected to increase. Each Master's programme is expected to have 40 students. A varsity official said total intake in the university has reached over 1,200, including 800 for short-term courses. "The spirit of Nalanda has evolved as a vibrant expression of continuous engagement with eternal values and the civilisational ethos of the East. It embodies a rich intellectual tradition, marked by openness, and inclusivity," the V-C said....