I think this rule was there since long time. When I came to US in fall 2003 I had to go to education ministry, get my bachelor transcript verified, then they issued letter addressed to NRB to give me money. This no-objection letter concept was introduced before to distinguist private funded and embassy sponsored scholarship student. May be Gyane is afraid of nepalese studend getting more knowledge outside and rejecting monarchy. Rana regime's limitation on education during their 104 year rule was to make sure people do not get educated and oppose them.