Education Ministry approves five Centres of Excellence for classical languages
The Ministry of Education has announced approval for five Centres of Excellence for classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit. Tezpur University, Visva-Bharati University, Deccan College in Pune, Central University of Odisha and Central University of Gujarat will host them. The centres will support research, preservation, digitisation and wider access to linguistic heritage.
Syllabus: GS1 · Art & Culture; Prelims · Current Affairs & IR; GS1 · Indian Society & Diversity
Why it matters
Recognition needs practical support for scholarship and preservation. The planned centres can give researchers access to dedicated academic platforms, help preserve and digitise linguistic resources, and widen access to literary heritage. The Ministry links these activities to stronger regional higher-education and research ecosystems. Approval establishes the intended institutional framework; it does not itself prove that the centres are already operating or have delivered these benefits.
Prelims pointers
- Centres of Excellence for classical languages are approved by the Union Ministry of Education.
- Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, is a deemed-to-be university chosen for classical Marathi.
- Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal will host the Centre of Excellence for classical Bengali.
- Pali's centre is in Odisha and Prakrit's in Gujarat — both at Central Universities.
Practise a UPSC-style question
Consider the following statements about the new Centres of Excellence for classical languages:
1. Visva-Bharati University will host the centre for classical Bengali.
2. The centre for classical Prakrit will be at the Central University of Odisha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show the answer
Answer: (a) 1 only
1 is correct: Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal was selected for Bengali. 2 is incorrect: Prakrit is assigned to the Central University of Gujarat, whereas Odisha hosts Pali.
More from the 4 October 2026 edition
- PMAY-G 2.0: 3 lakh Andhra houses, 3D concrete-printed pilot in Guntur National
- IAF needs 36-40 fighters a year, says Air Chief A P Singh Defence
- Uttarakhand publishes post-SIR voter roll, about 8 lakh fewer electors Polity
- India logs 3,832 child leprosy cases, far above 2025-26 target National
- Sal borer outbreak prompts tree felling and trapping in Dindori Environment
- India's food market pegged at $550-600 billion, says MoFPI official Economy
- Railways use AI alerts and Plan Bee to protect elephants Environment
- Apple pulls Bitchat from India App Store after MeitY demand National