Govt approves 5 Classical language centres

The Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of the five Centres of Excellence for studies in Classical Assamese, Classical Bengali, Classical Marathi, Classical Pali and Classical Prakrit. The Centres of Excellence will be established at Tezpur University in Assam, Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute in Pune, Central University of Odisha, and Central University of Gujarat. The initiative will provide dedicated institutional support for advanced academic research, preservation and digitisation of linguistic and literary heritage, and wider dissemination of knowledge relating to these Classical Languages. The establishment of these five Centres marks a significant step towards strengthening the institutional ecosystem for the study, research and preservation of India’s Classical Languages.

A proud moment for Odisha and a significant step towards preserving India’s rich linguistic heritage. The Ministry of Education’s approval of a Centre of Excellence for Classical Pali at the Central University of Odisha will strengthen the study, preservation and promotion of Pali, a language deeply connected with India’s intellectual, spiritual and cultural traditions. This Centre will further strengthen Odisha’s contribution to preserving India’s civilisational knowledge and linguistic heritage. My congratulations to the Central University of Odisha and everyone associated with this important initiative.

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) October 3, 2026

In October 2024, the Union Cabinet approved Classical Language status for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali, taking India's total number of classical languages to 11. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia had received the status earlier. The government's criteria for classical status include ancient texts or recorded history spanning roughly 1,500 to 2,000 years, a body of heritage literature and evidence through inscriptions and other knowledge texts. Chief Ministers of Odisha, Assam, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal have launded the Central government initiative.