Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is located in Nalanda, Bihar India. It was established in 1951 under Rajendra Prasad to revive the ancient seat of learning in Nalanda. It became a Deemed university in Nava Nalanda Mahavihara was founded to develop as a centre of higher studies in Pali and Buddhism along the lines of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. From the beginning, the Institute functioned as a residential institution, with a limited number of Indian and foreign students. In the Indian University Grants Commission accorded the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara the status of a "Deemed to be University.