Lumbini, 15 June: Jay Deep Kaur from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, came to Devdaha to take the Level-4 Chinese language exam.
He traveled continuously for 40 hours by train and arrived in Lumbini via Sunauli because proficiency in Chinese is valued for employment in large Chinese-invested industries operating in Gujarat.
Aanchal Thakur from Punjab is preparing to pursue her undergraduate studies in China. She came to Lumbini to take the Chinese language exam for that very reason.
“I found out about Lumbini through a Google search. After a one-and-a-half-day journey, I reached here,” she said.
Like Jaydweep and Aanchal, the number of Indians learning Chinese for employment and education is increasing. Although they can learn Chinese in India, there are very few exam centers there, and it’s difficult to get a timely exam slot.
“In India, you have to wait up to a year to take the language exam. That’s why, even though it takes more than 80 hours of travel back and forth, I came to Lumbini to take the exam,” said Jaydweep. According to him, even to work in Chinese-invested industries within India, one must know the Chinese language.
There are four Chinese language exam centers in Nepal recognized by China’s Ministry of Education. In Kathmandu, the centers are located at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, and LRI International School. Outside the Kathmandu Valley, the only center is at Lumbini Buddhist University. Under this university, the City Campus in Devdaha hosts the Chinese language exam center (HSK Test Center). Exams have been conducted in Devdaha since April 2024, and about 50% of the examinees there are Indian nationals.
Low fees and the regular administration of exams have increased the attraction of Indian students, according to Kumar Khadka, Assistant Professor of Chinese Language at Lumbini Buddhist University.
“In India, regular exams are held only in Mumbai. Elsewhere, they’re irregular. Even in Mumbai, seats are limited,” he said. “That’s why Lumbini in Nepal has become a preferred destination for Indians.”
In Lumbini, non-native speakers have to pay NPR 1,450 to 1,550 to take the HSK exam. In contrast, the same exam in India can cost between INR 5,000 and 7,000.
Professor Khadka stated that the lower fees and convenient transportation have drawn Indians to Lumbini. Some Indian nationals even come to Lumbini just to learn the language.
Lumbini offers online application and payment facilities for the exam. Results are published within a month of taking the exam and can be downloaded digitally. Candidates need to visit the university in person only if they require a hard copy of the results.
Except during the Chinese New Year (a one-month break), exams are conducted every month. The annual exam calendar is published at the beginning of the year. Question papers are made available online, and answers are submitted online as well.
