Parliament Question: Promotion of various Languages

**Executive Summary:** This document, a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3538, details the autonomous bodies under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, responsible for the development and promotion of various languages. It outlines the establishment and governance of these bodies and mentions the formation of a High-Powered Committee to review and strengthen language teaching and research, aligning with the National Education Policy, 2020. The response was answered on August 11, 2025. **Key Points / Main Content:** * **Autonomous Bodies for Language Promotion:** * The Ministry of Education has several autonomous bodies dedicated to the development and promotion of various languages. These include: * Central Sanskrit University (CSU), Delhi * National Sanskrit University (NSU), Tirupati * Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University (SLBNSU), Delhi * Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha * Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS), Agra * English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad * Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Chennai * Maharishi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan (MSRVVP), Ujjain * National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language (NCPSL), Delhi * National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Delhi * **Functions of the Autonomous Bodies:** * Specific institutions are responsible for promoting particular languages: Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Foreign Languages, Classical Tamil, Sindhi, and Urdu, as well as Vedic studies. * Three Sanskrit Universities have been established under the Central Sanskrit University Act, 2020. * The English and Foreign Languages University EFLU, Hyderabad, was established under the English and Foreign Languages University Act, 2006 * The Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, under the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha Act, 1997. * The remaining autonomous bodies are registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 * **Governance and Meetings:** * Central Universities are governed by their respective Acts, statutes, and ordinances. * Other autonomous bodies are governed by the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and their Memorandum of Association (MoA). * Meetings are held periodically as required. * **High-Powered Committee:** * A High-Powered Committee has been constituted to explore and recommend pathways for holistic and multidisciplinary growth of Indian Languages, as envisaged in the National Education Policy, 2020. * The committee will advise the Ministry on matters related to revitalizing language teaching, research, and its extension in various institutions. **Impact Analysis** * **Ministry of Education:** * *Impact:* The Ministry receives advice and recommendations on revitalizing language teaching and research and is responsible for implementing the committee's suggestions. * *Action Required:* Consider and implement the recommendations of the High-Powered Committee to strengthen language teaching and research in line with the National Education Policy, 2020. * **Autonomous Language Bodies:** * *Impact:* The autonomous bodies may be subject to review and potential changes in their functioning based on the High-Powered Committee's recommendations. * *Action Required:* Continue their activities as usual and prepare to adapt to any changes or new guidelines that may arise from the committee's review. * **Educational Institutions:** * *Impact:* Institutions may experience changes in language teaching and research programs based on the recommendations of the High-Powered Committee. * *Action Required:* Stay informed about any changes or new initiatives related to language teaching and research and be prepared to implement them. * **Students and Researchers:** * *Impact:* Students and researchers in language-related fields may benefit from strengthened language teaching and research programs. * *Action Required:* Engage with new opportunities and resources that may become available as a result of the revitalization efforts.

Key Entities Referenced