The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan was established on 15th October, 1970 as an autonomous organization registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Act XXI of 1860) for the development and promotion of Sanskrit language in the country. Since its inception the organization has been playing a pivotal role in preservation and promotion of Sanskrit learning all over the country and abroad. The Sansthan was declared as a Deemed University on the recommendation of Universtiy Grants Commission for its academic excellence.

The Sansthan has introduced several study and learning programs in Saskrit. The various courses offered by the Sansthan are Prathama, Purvamadhyama / Prak –Shastri, Shastri and Acharya First Year. Apart from these regular programs one can also learn through distance mode of learning.

The Sansthan started an English medium course of twenty lessons in 1973. In the year 1974, the introductory course in Hindi medium was also introduced. In order to make it more fruitful, a higher introductory course of one year duration in English and Hindi medium comprising twenty lessons was incepted in 1978.

Besides these courses, the Sansthan also conducts a course of two years duration named “Sanskrit prabodha” spread in forty lessons in Hindi and English. This course is based on the essentials of Vedic and Sanskrit literature, Epics, Indian Philosophy and Sanskrit Grammar.

The academic session for courses under distance education mode starts in January and ends in October. Advertisement for admission to these courses is given in different national and regional newspaper. Generally, duration of admission is 1st November to 31st December every year.

The learners residing in India and abroad have to pay a nominal fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees fifty only) and $20.00 (Twenty U. S. Dollars) respectively. The fee can be remitted in cash or by demand draft in favour of “Vice - Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi. Admission forms and other information relating to the courses can be had from the Asst. Director (CC).

Those candidates having good knowledge of Hindi or English are eligible for admission to first year course. For admission to the second year course a candidate should have completed the first year introductory course or should have elementary knowledge of Sanskrit language. On successfully completion of the second year introductory course, a certificate is awarded to the candidates.

The learners have to learn the lessons and return the completed response sheet to the Asst. Director (CC) for evaluation and gradation. Thereafter, the response sheets are sent back to the learners. No separate examination is conducted for award of certificates. The certificates are awarded on the basis of grade marks.