Diwakar Buddhist Academy was founded in 2002 by H.H. Shamar Rinpoche. Its first class counted 30 students. Now there are over five times as many students who are studying the Dharma in Kalimpong. The first students graduated in 2010 after completing a seven-year program which has now been extended to ten years.

The school employs twenty-two teachers who teach Buddhist Philosophy, Tibetan and grammar, History and English. Language of instruction is mainly Tibetan and students follow the traditional curriculum of the Karma Kagyu lineage. The students graduate after ten years of studying making it comparable to an integrated high school and college. Graduates are awarded the ancient title of Acharya which translates into a modern master.

Most of the students are between 16-27 years old. They come to the shedra after having received elementary education. Many are ethnic Tibetans or come from Buddhist families in India, Bhutan and Nepal. There are also students coming from countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and France turning the Shedra into a truly international college. Diwakar Buddhist Academy offers Buddhist education, food and accommodation free of charge allowing students with a poor background to study the Buddhadharma.