Nalanda University, located in Bihar, India, is integrating the ancient Indian tradition of Śāstrārtha into its third convocation program from May 17 to 19, 2026. This initiative, titled 'Śāstrārtha 2026', aims to foster meaningful intellectual engagement among students through structured debates rather than mere ceremonial observance. Vice Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi highlighted the importance of understanding and articulating ideas over relying on artificial intelligence, emphasizing that education should stem from personal reflection and intellectual struggle.

The program features 23 thematic panels covering diverse fields such as Buddhist studies, archaeology, and sustainable development, structured around the classical debate framework of Pūrvapakṣa (initial argument) and Uttarapakṣa (response). This approach encourages students and alumni to engage in disciplined reasoning and critical dialogue. Additionally, two honors will be bestowed during the event: the Nālandā Śāstrārtha Sammāna for teachers and the Nālandā Śāstrārtha Puraskāra for students, recognizing exceptional contributions to scholarly debate. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to revive the classical debate culture of the ancient Nālandā Mahāvihāra, promoting clarity of thought and ethical discourse in academic settings.