**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Education's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2506, answered on August 4, 2025, regarding the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK). The question addressed the lack of full academic and administrative autonomy for CESCK, a review of its performance, recommendations for autonomy from the State Government of Karnataka and Kannada literary institutions, and proposals for granting CESCK autonomous status as an independent national institution.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, stated that CESCK has been relocated from the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysuru to Mysuru University, based on stakeholder requests. The response highlights the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's emphasis on promoting all Indian languages, including Classical Kannada. CIIL is systematically reviewing and assessing the performance of all classical language centers, including CESCK, and is supporting CESCK's growth. The Government of India, guided by the NEP 2020, is committed to the enhanced development of the Centre. The response does not explicitly address the granting of full autonomy but indicates ongoing support and development within the framework of the NEP 2020.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: A department of the Government of India responsible for education.
Department of Higher Education: A department within the Ministry of Education responsible for higher education.
Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar: A member of parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha.
Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK): An institution dedicated to the study of Classical Kannada.
Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, Karnataka: An institute that previously housed CESCK.
National Education Policy, 2020: A policy document by the Government of India that focuses on promotion of Indian languages.
Mysuru University, Karnataka: The current location of the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK).
DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2506
ANSWERED ON - 04/08/2025
CoE for Studies in Classical Kannada
2506. Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar :
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical
Kannada (CESCK) housed within CIIL Mysuru has not been granted full academic and
administrative autonomy despite repeated requests;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any review on the performance of CESCK and
challenges in comparison with other Classical Language Centers;
(c) whether the Government has received any recommendations from the State
Government of Karnataka or Kannada literary institutions for autonomy of CESCK;
and
(d) whether the Government has any proposal for CESCK autonomous status and enable it
to function as an Independent National Institution for Classical Kannada?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (d): Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) which was functioning
from the premises of Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) at Mysuru, has now been shifted
to Mysuru University as per the request of stakeholders. National Education Policy, 2020 focuses
on promotion of all Indian languages including Classical Kannada and other Classical Indian
languages. CIIL has implemented measures to systematically review and assess the performance
of all classical centres, including the CESCK. CESCK’s growth is being supported by CIIL.
Keeping in view the provisions of the NEP 2020, the Government of India is committed to the
enhanced development of the Centre.
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