1. There shall be one Award every year based on the distinguished work in the promotion Buddhist Studies.It may however, be shared by more than one person.
   
   
2. Scholars and individuals overseas shall be eligible for the Award. The nominees should have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of Buddhist studies.
   
   
3. The Award is open to all individuals regardless of nationality, race, creed or sex. An association, institution or organization shall also be eligible for the Award.
   
   
4. This Award is not conferred Posthumously.
   
   
5. An individual/ institution of outstanding distinction may in accordance with the provisions contained in Part III send nomination in writing. Personal applications for the Award shall not be considered.
   
   

1. The Award shall be made annually, commencing from, 2021 and every calendar year thereafter.
   
   
2. If, however, it is considered that none of the nominations merit the award, the Jury will be free to withhold the Award for the particular year.

1. Competence to submit nominations for the Award shall :

1. Heads of Indian Missions/Posts abroad.
2. Heads of Foreign Missions in India.
3. Persons who have received the Award.
4. Ministries of Foreign Governments responsible for education and/ or cultural matters.
5. Presidents/Vice-Chancellors/Rectors/Heads of Foreign universities/ Heads of prominent Buddhist academic institutions in India including Heads of prominent Buddhist institutions abroad and Heads of Central/State Universities having Departments of Buddhist studies.
6. Any other person whom the Jury may wish to invite to submit nominations for the Award.
   
   
1. ICCR shall issue letters in the month of January inviting nominations in accordance with the provisions of article (i) The closing date of nomination will be 1st week of June. This may be relaxed by the Chairperson of the Jury if considered necessary.
   
   
2. The Jury shall consider such nominations as received by the office of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi up to beginning of June unless the Chairperson of the Jury is of the opinion that such time should be extended as necessary.
   
   
3. Ordinarily, only nominations from competent persons invited to nominate shall be considered. However, a nomination shall not be invalid merely on the ground of not having emanated from competent persons mentioned in the article (i) of this part. In all such cases, the decision of the Jury shall be final.
   
   
4. Nominations should be accompanied by adequate supporting evidence.

1. No individual shall merit an Award unless he/ she, in the opinion of the Jury, has made an outstanding contribution in the promotion of Buddhist studies.

1. The requisite scrutiny and final selection for the Award shall be made by a Jury to be appointed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations for this purpose.
   
   
2. The Jury shall consist of seven members who shall be Indian nationals.
   
   
3. The President of ICCR shall be the Chairperson of the Jury and the Director General of ICCR shall be the Member-Secretary of the Jury.The other five members shall be nominated by the Governing Body of ICCR in the following manner:
   
   
1. Secretary(East), MEA.
2. One member from among Secretary(Culture), Secretary(Tourism) & Secretary(Higher Education) to be decided by President, ICCR.
3. Three members to be nominated by the President, ICCR (for a two years term).
   
   
4. The term of the two members will be for two years.  However, the term can be extended for a further two years and not beyond that.
   
   
5. If a member of the Jury retires or dies before the expiry of the term of his/her office, another shall be appointed in his/ her place for the residual term.
   
   
6. If for some reasons it is not possible for the Chairperson to be present then Vice-President of ICCR will act as the Chairperson.
   
   
7. A simple majority will form the quorum.
   
   
8. Decision of the Jury will be by consensus. However, in case of difference in opinion, the decisions of the Jury shall be by a majority vote. In the event of the votes on both sides being equal, the Chairperson presiding over the particular meeting shall have a casting vote.
   
   
9. The discussions, deliberations, opinions and proceedings of the Jury will be strictly confidential.
   
   
10. The Jury shall announce its decision, to the extent possible latest by September every year.
    
    
11. Decision of the Jury shall not be subject to confirmation by any other authority and no appeal or protest can be made against it.

Part VI Presentation of Award

1. The Award will comprise of US$ 20,000 (US Dollars Twenty Thousand),a Plaque and Gold Plated Medallion. If it is awarded to more than one person, the amount will be shared equally.
   
   
2. Presentation of the Award shall be made at a special Ceremony in India/abroad.
   
   
3. The awardee will be provided return business class air ticket and a week’s full local hospitality including domestic travel and stay in India. The awardee can avail this facility within two years of the announcement of the award.

Part VII Other Provisions

1. The members of the Jury may propose any amendment to these regulations, the same will be subject to the approval by the Governing Body of Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
   
   
2. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations can recommend modification / amendments to regulations subjects to the concurrence of Governing body of ICCR
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3. The necessary finances for the Awards and for all expenses incidental thereto shall be borne by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.