Ministry of Education Approves Five Centres of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages
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Text from Press Information Bureau. Statements and views below are those of the issuing institution. Figures, linked documents and attachments are available in the original release.Source publication: 03 OCT 2026 5:40PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, has approved the establishment of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for studies in Classical Assamese, Classical Bengali, Classical Marathi, Classical Pali and Classical Prakrit.
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 Centres of Excellence will be established at the following Higher Educational Institutions:
| S. No. | Classical Language | Centre of Excellence |
| 1. | Classical Assamese | Tezpur University, Assam |
| 2. | Classical Bengali | Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal |
| 3. | Classical Marathi | Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra |
| 4. | Classical Pali | Central University of Odisha, Odisha |
| 5. | Classical Prakrit | Central University of Gujarat, Gujarat |
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.
Key areas of focus
The Centres of Excellence will focus on four broad areas:
Strengthening academic research and scholarship: The Centres will provide dedicated institutional platforms for advanced research, scholarly work and academic engagement in the respective Classical Languages.
Preservation and digitisation: The Centres will support the documentation, preservation and digitisation of linguistic and literary resources, contributing to the long-term conservation of India’s rich textual heritage.
Wider dissemination of Classical Language heritage: The Centres will facilitate wider access to and dissemination of linguistic, literary and knowledge traditions associated with the respective Classical Languages.
Strengthening regional academic ecosystems: Located across five States—Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha and Gujarat, the Centres will strengthen regional ecosystems for higher education, research and scholarship in Classical Languages.
The initiative reinforces the Government’s efforts to preserve and promote India’s rich linguistic and literary heritage while strengthening institutions of higher education as centres of research and scholarship.
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