The Union Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of five Centres of Excellence dedicated to the study and preservation of Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit.
The initiative aims to strengthen academic research, digitisation and preservation of the linguistic and literary heritage of these languages. Five universities and research institutions across India have been selected to host the centres.
The development is expected to provide fresh opportunities for scholars, researchers and students while supporting the documentation and wider dissemination of India’s classical language traditions.
Five Institutions Selected for Centres of Excellence
The Ministry has designated the following institutions to establish the specialised centres:
- Classical Assamese: Tezpur University, Assam
- Classical Bengali: Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal
- Classical Marathi: Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune
- Classical Pali: Central University of Odisha
- Classical Prakrit: Central University of Gujarat
The selected institutions will serve as academic hubs for research, preservation and the promotion of their respective languages.
Focus on Research and Academic Development
The Centres of Excellence are expected to encourage advanced research into the history, literature, grammar and linguistic evolution of the five languages.
The initiative will provide a platform for scholars to examine historical texts, literary traditions and cultural knowledge associated with these languages.
It is also expected to encourage academic collaboration, specialised study programmes and the development of research resources.
By creating dedicated institutional facilities, the Ministry aims to strengthen the academic ecosystem surrounding classical language studies.
Digitisation to Preserve Literary Heritage
Digitisation and preservation will form important components of the initiative.
The centres are expected to support the documentation and digital preservation of manuscripts, rare books and other historical materials related to the five languages.
Such efforts can help safeguard valuable literary resources from deterioration while making them more accessible to researchers and students.
The initiative also aims to expand the availability of scholarly material and promote wider public engagement with India’s linguistic heritage.
Five Languages Received Classical Status in 2024
The approval follows the Union Cabinet’s decision in October 2024 to grant Classical Language status to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit.
The recognition highlighted the historical and literary importance of these languages and created opportunities for dedicated academic and preservation initiatives.
The new centres are expected to support further research into their contributions to India’s literature, culture and intellectual traditions.
Strengthening India’s Classical Language Ecosystem
The five centres will be spread across Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha and Gujarat, bringing specialised academic infrastructure to different parts of the country.
The initiative is expected to support researchers, strengthen institutional collaboration and create opportunities for future generations to engage with classical languages.
Through research, digitisation and preservation, the Education Ministry aims to promote the continued study of these languages and protect their literary heritage.