Government approves 5 Centres of Excellence to support Classical languages

Art & Culture · 4 October 2026 · Based on Indian Express (original report)

2-minute summary

The Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of five new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to the study, research, and preservation of five classical languages: Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit. These centres aim to create robust institutional platforms for advanced academic research, digitisation of ancient manuscripts, and the promotion of India's rich linguistic heritage. The CoEs will be hosted across prominent higher education institutions: Tezpur University (Assamese), Visva-Bharati University (Bengali), Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute in Pune (Marathi), Central University of Odisha (Pali), and Central University of Gujarat (Prakrit). This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes preserving classical literature and strengthening regional academic ecosystems to ensure wider dissemination of India's pluralistic cultural heritage.

Why it's in the news

In October 2026, the Ministry of Education approved the setting up of five dedicated Centres of Excellence for newly designated classical languages. This move operationalizes the institutional support framework required to preserve, digitize, and research these languages.

Facts to remember

• The Ministry of Education approved five new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for classical languages in October 2026.
• The five languages designated for these new CoEs are Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit.
• The CoE for classical Assamese will be located at Tezpur University, Assam, and the CoE for classical Bengali at Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal.
• The CoE for classical Marathi is assigned to the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra.
• The CoEs for classical Pali and classical Prakrit will be established at the Central University of Odisha and the Central University of Gujarat, respectively.

Background and context

The concept of 'Classical Languages' in India was initiated in 2004, with Tamil being the first to receive the status. The Ministry of Culture lays down strict criteria for this designation: high antiquity of early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500–2000 years; a body of ancient literature/texts considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; and an original literary tradition not borrowed from another speech community. Once a language is declared classical, the government provides financial assistance for setting up a Centre of Excellence, requests the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities, and institutes major international awards for scholars. Following the Cabinet's expansion of the list in late 2024 to include Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, the total number of classical languages in India stands at 11.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 29(1) — Guarantees any section of citizens residing in India having a distinct language, script, or culture the right to conserve the same.
• Article 351 — Provides a directive for the development and promotion of languages, reflecting the Union's duty to safeguard India's composite culture.
• Eighth Schedule — Contains 22 official languages. Notably, classical languages like Pali and Prakrit are not listed in the Eighth Schedule, highlighting a key distinction between official and classical classifications.

Committees and reports

• National Education Policy (NEP) — Strongly advocates for the preservation, research, and popularisation of all classical languages and literature through technology-aided digitisation and institutional research.

Government schemes

• Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) — Aims to document and safeguard languages spoken by fewer than 10,000 people, complementing the classical language conservation ecosystem.

International organisations

• UNESCO — Administers the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, under which oral traditions and language expressions are recognized globally.

Mains practice: Discuss the significance of designating regional and ancient languages as 'Classical Languages'. How does the establishment of dedicated Centres of Excellence (CoEs) address the structural challenges in preserving India's linguistic heritage?

The designation of languages as 'Classical Languages' is a vital step in recognizing and preserving India’s pluralistic cultural fabric. With the Ministry of Education's October 2026 approval of five new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit, the institutional framework for linguistic conservation has received a significant boost.

• **Cultural and Constitutional Significance**:

Designating a language as 'Classical' validates its historical antiquity (1500–2000 years) and original literary tradition. It fulfills the constitutional mandate under Article 29(1), which protects the right of citizens to conserve their distinct language and script. Furthermore, it aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes multilingualism as a cognitive and cultural asset.

• **Addressing Structural Challenges through CoEs**:

Historically, classical language studies have suffered from a lack of funding, decaying manuscripts, and declining scholarly interest. The newly approved CoEs address these gaps directly:

1. *Preservation and Digitisation*: CoEs like the one at Deccan College, Pune (for Marathi) will employ modern technology to digitize fragile palm-leaf and paper manuscripts, preventing the permanent loss of ancient knowledge.

2. *Academic Research and Scholarship*: By locating CoEs in central and historical universities (such as Tezpur University for Assamese and Visva-Bharati for Bengali), the government provides dedicated institutional platforms for high-quality research, doctoral fellowships, and professional chairs.

3. *Strengthening Regional Ecosystems*: Setting up the Pali centre at the Central University of Odisha and the Prakrit centre at the Central University of Gujarat decentralizes academic resources, fostering regional scholarship and local community engagement.

**Way Forward**:

To maximize the impact of these CoEs, the government must integrate digitized classical texts with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) for open access. Furthermore, inter-disciplinary research combining classical literature with modern sciences, and establishing international collaborations for trans-border languages like Pali (crucial for Buddhist diplomacy), will ensure these languages remain living traditions rather than relics of the past.

In conclusion, safeguarding classical languages through dedicated CoEs is essential to achieving the constitutional ideal of 'Unity in Diversity' and fulfilling SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting inclusive cultural education.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Classical Languages and the newly approved Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in India: 1. The Ministry of Education is the nodal authority for establishing the newly approved CoEs for classical languages. 2. Pali and Prakrit are recognized as Classical Languages in India, even though they are not currently listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. 3. The Centre of Excellence for classical Marathi is designated to be established at the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute in Pune. How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Answer: C. Statement 1 is correct: The Ministry of Education approved the establishment of these five CoEs. Statement 2 is correct: Pali and Prakrit are recognized classical languages but are not among the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. Statement 3 is correct: The CoE for classical Marathi is being set up at Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune.

Q2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Union Government has established dedicated Centres of Excellence for classical languages like Assamese, Bengali, and Marathi at various higher education institutions. Statement-II: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes the preservation and promotion of India's classical languages and highly recommends integrating them into the academic curriculum. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: B. Both statements are correct. Statement-I is a factual administrative action taken in October 2026. Statement-II is a broad policy guideline from NEP 2020. While the policy supports the action, Statement-II is not the direct administrative explanation or cause for the specific university allocations mentioned in Statement-I.

Q3. Which of the following institutions is correctly matched with the Classical Language Centre of Excellence approved for it in October 2026?

1. Visva-Bharati University — Classical Bengali
2. Central University of Odisha — Classical Assamese
3. Tezpur University — Classical Prakrit
4. Central University of Gujarat — Classical Pali

Answer: A. Visva-Bharati University is correctly matched with Classical Bengali. The other matches are incorrect: Central University of Gujarat is for Prakrit, Tezpur University is for Assamese, and Central University of Odisha is for Pali.

Revision flashcards

• What are the three main criteria used by the Ministry of Culture to classify a language as a 'Classical Language' in India? 1. High antiquity of early texts (1500–2000 years). 2. A body of ancient literature considered a valuable heritage. 3. Original literary tradition not borrowed from another speech community.
• Which of the currently recognized Classical Languages of India are not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (as of October 2026)? Pali and Prakrit. While both are designated as Classical Languages, they are not among the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
• Which five languages were approved for new Centres of Excellence by the Ministry of Education in October 2026? Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit.
• In October 2026, which specific academic institutions were selected to host the Centres of Excellence for classical Assamese and classical Marathi? Tezpur University (Assam) for Assamese, and Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute (Pune) for Marathi.
• Why does the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocate for the digitisation and institutional study of classical languages? To prevent the loss of ancient scientific, philosophical, and literary knowledge preserved in decaying manuscripts, while strengthening regional academic research ecosystems.