**Summary:**
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has approved the establishment of Centres of Excellence for minority literary heritage under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). A key initiative is the establishment of a Centre for Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University, aimed at digitizing and conserving invaluable Jain manuscripts.
A national workshop on the significance of Jain Manuscriptology was held on July 19, 2025, at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, which facilitated dialogue on preservation techniques, research potential, and community engagement.
Under PMJVK, five projects have been approved:
1. **Centre of Excellence in Avesta Parsi Heritage Languages and Cultural Studies:** University of Mumbai (Parsi Community) - To promote research in Avesta Pahlavi, Pali and Prakrit, and Buddhist preserve heritage languages and traditions.
2. **Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies:** University of Delhi (Buddhist Community) - To promote advanced academic research, fostering Bharatcentric perspectives, preserving cultural heritage, and encouraging interdisciplinary and institutional collaboration.
3. **Centre for Gurumukhi Script:** Khalsa College, University of Delhi (Sikh Community) - To preserve, promote, and teach Gurumukhi script using digital tools, community support, and interactive platforms.
4. **Centre for Jain Manuscriptology:** Gujarat University (Jain Community) - To digitize and conserve Jain manuscripts with proper metadata and cataloguing, while establishing training and research facilities in manuscriptology.
5. **Centre for Jain Studies:** Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya DAVV, Indore (Jain Community) - To promote Jain heritage and culture through academic programs, research and global collaboration.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for minority affairs, which approved the establishment of the Centre for Jain Manuscriptology and other related projects.
Centre for Jain Manuscriptology: A dedicated facility at Gujarat University for the digitization and conservation of Jain manuscripts.
Gujarat University: The university in Gujarat, India, where the Centre for Jain Manuscriptology is being established.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK): A program under which the initiative to promote and preserve the literary heritage of Jainism and other minority communities is being conducted.
University of Mumbai: One of the universities approved under PMJVK, where the Centre of Excellence in Avesta Pahlavi, Pali and Prakrit, and Buddhist Languages and Cultural Studies will be established.
University of Delhi: One of the universities approved under PMJVK, where the Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies and the Centre for Gurumukhi Script will be established.
Khalsa College, University of Delhi: College of University of Delhi where the Centre for Gurumukhi Script is being established.
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya DAVV, Indore, Madhya Pradesh: University in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where the Centre for Jain Studies will be established.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Centres of Excellence for minority literary heritage
Posted On: 12 AUG 2025 2:51PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Minority Affairs approved the establishment of Centre for Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat
University. This will create a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility for the digitisation and conservation of
invaluable Jain manuscripts. This initiative under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) aims to
promote and preserve the rich literary heritage of Jainism.
Ministry of Minority Affairs organized a national workshop on the significance of Jain Manuscriptology on
19th July, 2025 at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. The workshop was conducted under the Pradhan Mantri
Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), with the aim of promoting and preserving the rich literary heritage of
Jainism.The workshop was attended by the scholars, researchers, cultural experts and community leaders who
highlighted the significance of Jain manuscripts.
Following were the outcomes of the workshop:
Dialogue on preservation techniques and research potential of Jain manuscripts
(cid:108)
Importance of incorporating ancient wisdom into modern academic and cultural narratives
(cid:108)
Community engagement for collaborative conservation efforts
(cid:108)
Under PMJVK, the Ministry approved the project to the University of Gujarat for the establishment of a
Centre for Jain Manuscriptology at Gujarat University to create a dedicated, state-of-the-art infrastructure for
Digitization and conservation of Jain manuscripts.The Ministry collaborated with these Universities to set up
Centres of Excellence for minority literary heritage.
The following five projects have been approved under PMJVK and their details are as under:
R e l a t e d
Sl.No Name of the Project University M i n o r i t yObjective of project
Community
Centre of Excellence in To promote research in Avesta-
Minority Heritage University of P a r s i &Pahlavi, Pali and Prakrit, and
Languages and Cultural Mumbai Buddhist preserve heritage languages and
Studies traditions.
To promote advanced academic
research, fostering Bharat-centric
Centre for Advanced
perspectives, preserving cultural
Studies in Buddhist University of Delhi Buddhist
heritage, and encouraging
Studies
interdisciplinary and institutional
collaboration.
To preserve, promote, and teach
Centre for Gurumukhi Khalsa College, Gurumukhi script using digital
Sikh
Script University of Delhi tools, community support, and
interactive platforms.
To digitize and conserve Jain
manuscripts with proper metadata
Centre for Jain
Gujarat University Jain and cataloguing, while
Manuscriptology
establishing training and research
facilities in manuscriptology.
Centre for Jain Studies D e v i A h i l y a Jain To promote Jain heritage andculture through academic
Vishwavidyalaya
programs, research and global
(DAVV), Indore
collaboration.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren
Rijiju in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
***
AKS
(Release ID: 2155437)