The then Department of Culture, Government of India took the initiative to establish an institute of Himalayan Culture Studies to help the people of the region in preservation and promotion of their cultural identity and the growth of traditional arts, crafts and sciences and other genres of indigenous knowledge. Acting upon this objective, it constituted a Task Force in August, 2000 to formulate a concept note and to chalk out modalities for setting up a Buddhist Institution in Arunachal Pradesh.

                Till the time of the constitution of a separate Board of Management of Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) and its registration, the Buddhist Cultural Preservation Society (BCPS), Bomdila was entrusted to take up the initial work by the then Department of Culture, Govt. of India based on the recommendation of the Task Force.

                Consequent upon that, the EFC meeting was held on 8th October 2009 and finally the Union Cabinet accorded approval for the establishment of CIHCS at Dahung in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh as an Autonomous Body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India on May 19th 2010.

                CIHCS, Dahung got registered under the Society Registration Act 1860 dated 10-11-2010 Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh with following Objectives:

                The mandate of the Society is to undertake Under Graduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral Programmes in Buddhist and Himalayan studies and may also establish and maintain feeder schools.

	To provide for instruction for various courses in Indian Culture and for study and research in different branches of Buddhist Philosophical and Cultural Studies for Degrees and Diplomas of the Board or University to which the Institute is affiliated.
	To provide for instruction for various courses in Indian Culture and for study and research in different To prepare students for higher learning and research in the fields of Buddhist Studies, Bhoti Language and Literature and Himalayan Studies with methods using knowledge of modern research methodology and advanced up-to-date technology.
	To inculcate awareness of the Cultural ethos, ecological balance and preservation of natural resources with special reference to the Himalayan region and North East region of India.
	To teach traditional arts and crafts and modern technical skill sets for facilitating economic self-sufficiency and sustainable development and preservation of ethnic identity within the framework of national unity.
	To institute and award fellowships, scholarships, prizes and medals in accordance with the Rules and Bye-laws.
	To confer honorary awards and other distinctions.
	To establish, maintain, building complexes and manage halls and hostels for the education, training, residence of the students and staff of the Institute.

                Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioner, West Kameng District, Bomdila, Shri Rinchin Tashi was entrusted the charge of the post of Director in ex-officio capacity for CIHCS, Dahung on 22-02-2011. He took over the charge of the office on 24th February 2011 and initiated action for transfer of various charges from BCPS, Bomdila. Geshe Ngawang Tashi Bapu was appointed as the First Director of the Institute by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Culture on 26th October 2012. He took over the charge of the office on 2nd November 2012.

                Currently, the Institute is running the courses as per the patern of SSVV, U.P.

	Purva Madhyama 1st & 2nd Year	2 Years (Equivalent to Class IX and X)
	Uttar Madhyama 1st & 2nd Year	2 Years (Equivalent to Class XI and XII)
	Shastri 1st, 2nd & 3rd Year	3 Years (Equivalent to Graduation Level)
	Acharya 1st & 2nd Year.	2 Years (Equivalent to Post Graduation Level)
	Vidyavaridi	Research Work (Equivalent to PhD)

                Affiliation of the Institute for Purva Madhyama to Shastri and Acharya to Ph.D Programme in Bhot Boudh Darshan has been granted by Sampurnanand Sanskrit Viswavidyalaya (University), Varanasi, U. P.

        Admission:

                Admissions to various classes are undertaken during June-July and the academic session starts form July-August.

        Examination:

                Annual Examinations of the various classes is being conducted by Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi during the period April-May.

        Prospects for new courses and programmes:

                CIHCS, Dahung has emerged as a Post Graduate Institute for imparting Higher Education which shall also carry out the research programmes up to Ph. D. Level.

	Undergraduate & Post Graduate courses in Chikitsa Vidya in the Sowa Rigpa tradition.
	Shiksha Shastri course equivalent to Bachelor in Education for the training of teachers.
	Undergraduate courses in Shilpa Vidya for Studies of Traditional Arts & Crafts.
	Various area-based useful Post Graduate Diplomas, Diploma & Certificate courses in applied & vocational subjects.
	Publication of Research outcome of the Teachers and Research Scholars of the Institute or associated with the Institute, Proceeding volumes of the Seminars, Conferences and symposia held at the Institute and the works of reputed scholars.
	Holding seminars and conferences at National and International level.
	Running of satellite feeder school in the localities & monasteries where the need shall be felt and where facilities for the same would be available.

                CIHCS, Dahung has been established by the Government of India to undertake Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral Programmes in Buddhist and Himalayan Studies and may also maintain feeder schools as mandate and also to provide for instruction of various courses in Indian Culture and for Studies and Research in different branches of Buddhist Philosophical and Cultural Studies, Bhoti language and literature along with Himalayan Culture studies for Degrees and Diplomas and to teach traditional Arts & Crafts and modern technical skill sets. Hence, in near future the Institute is to be upgraded as a Deemed University.