**Executive Summary**
On 13 May 2026, the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp (BBSC) in New Delhi. This nationwide initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to promote multilingualism and celebrate India’s linguistic diversity through activity-based learning for school students. A primary focus for the 2026 program is the inclusion of Indian Sign Language (ISL) to ensure inclusive and equitable education.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Program Objectives and Vision**
* Promotes the vision of "Unity in Diversity" and "Viksit Bharat 2047" by celebrating India’s 1,369 languages and dialects.
* Aims to strengthen cognition, communication skills, and foundational learning through multilingualism.
* Fosters national integration and cultural identity by connecting students with diverse traditions.
**Operational Details and Methodology**
* Target Audience: Students from classes 1 to 12 across India.
* Learning Format: Utilizes joyful, experiential methods such as storytelling, songs, games, theatre, folk traditions, and cultural exchange.
* Core Requirement: Children learn basic conversational skills in an Indian language other than their mother tongue.
**New Provisions for BBSC 2026**
* Mandatory inclusion of Indian Sign Language (ISL) as a key component of the curriculum.
* Promotion of digital resources, specifically the PM e-Vidya DTH TV ISL Channel No. 31, for learning.
* Encouragement of collaborations between schools and special educators or local organizations for ISL exposure.
**Program Highlights and Past Performance**
* The previous academic year (2025–26) saw participation from over 5 crore students.
* The launch featured an exhibition of innovative multilingual practices and a Nukkad Natak (street play) by Kendriya Vidyalaya students to promote linguistic inclusivity.
**Impact Analysis**
**School Students (Classes 1–12)**
**Impact**
Students gain enhanced cognitive abilities and conversational proficiency in a new Indian language, facilitating a deeper connection to national cultural roots.
**Action Required**
Engage in summer camp activities during vacations to learn new languages and explore Indian literature.
**Schools**
**Impact**
Schools serve as the primary hubs for implementing inclusive education and multilingual initiatives.
**Action Required**
Must utilize ISL learning resources from the PM e-Vidya DTH TV channel and collaborate with special educators to provide meaningful exposure to Sign Language.
**Teachers and Special Educators**
**Impact**
They are tasked with delivering the curriculum through non-traditional, activity-based methods.
**Action Required**
Facilitate experiential learning sessions and support students in enriching their vocabulary and communication skills in multiple languages.
**Partner Organizations**
**Impact**
Local organizations and linguistic bodies are recognized as vital supporters of the program’s success.
**Action Required**
Provide expertise and support to schools, particularly in the areas of Indian Sign Language and regional linguistic traditions.
Key Entities Referenced
Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp (BBSC): A nationwide initiative for school students from classes 1 to 12 aimed at celebrating linguistic diversity and promoting multilingualism through activity-based learning.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The foundational national policy framework that guides the initiative's focus on multilingualism, inclusive education, and national integration.
Department of School Education and Literacy: The primary department within the Ministry of Education responsible for the launch and implementation of the summer camp program.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The strategic government vision for a developed India by 2047, which serves as the long-term goal for the initiative's impact on human resource development.
Indian Sign Language (ISL): A key component included in the 2026 program to promote inclusive and equitable education through dedicated resources like PM e-Vidya.
Ministry of Education
Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of
School Education and Literacy launched
Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp (BBSC) in New
Delhi
Posted On: 13 MAY 2026 9:06PM by PIB Delhi
Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of
Education, today launched Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp (BBSC) at Dr. Ambedkar International
Centre (DAIC), New Delhi.
The nationwide initiative aims to celebrate India’s linguistic diversity and promote multilingualism among
school students, in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Viksit Bharat
2047. India’s rich multilingual heritage reflects the spirit of “Unity in Diversity.” India’s linguistic
diversity is one of its greatest cultural strengths and our nation speaks 1,369 languages and dialects. The
Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp seeks to help children experience this diversity through joyful, activity-
based, and experiential learning.Addressing the gathering, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, emphasised the transformative vision of
the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, highlighting the pivotal role of multilingualism in
strengthening cognition, communication, and foundational learning among children. He encouraged
school students to learn in their mother tongue, embrace multilingual learning, and continuously enrich
their vocabulary to improve their communication skills. Stressing that language is one of the most
powerful mediums of communication, he also motivated the students to explore literature and appreciate
the richness of Indian languages.
Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry, Chairman, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, emphasised that India is home to an
extraordinary linguistic heritage, with 1,369 languages spoken across the country, each representing the
cultural richness and identity of its people. He noted that multilingualism not only reflects the cultural
vibrancy of India but also promotes a sense of belonging and emotional connection among people from
different regions, fostering national integration and mutual respect throughout the country. He also
encouraged students to utilise their summer vacations to learn Bharatiya Bhashas, highlighting that
learning Indian languages would help them connect more deeply with the cultural roots and diverse
traditions of India.
Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT, highlighted that India’s diversity is beautifully reflected in
its many languages, which serve not only as a means of communication but also as a medium for
expression, the sharing of thoughts, and building connections with others. He emphasised that learning
and using one’s mother tongue strengthens understanding, creativity, and cultural identity. Referring to
NEP 2020, he noted that the policy promotes multilingualism to encourage inclusive education, preserve
linguistic diversity, and foster national integration through mutual respect and understanding among
different communities.
Smt. Prachi Pandey, Joint Secretary (I&T), Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of
Education, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, teachers,
students, and partner organisations for their valuable presence and support in making the programme asuccess.
Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp seeks to engage school students from classes 1 to 12 through
storytelling, songs, games, theatre, conversations, folk traditions, art and cultural exchange activities.
Children will learn basic conversational skills in an Indian language other than their mother tongue while
developing an appreciation for different cultures and traditions across the country. During the academic
year 2025–26, more than 5 crore students actively participated in BBSC 2025.
A key highlight of BBSC 2026 is the inclusion of Indian Sign Language (ISL) as part of the programme,
promoting inclusive and equitable education. Schools are encouraged to use ISL learning resources
available through the dedicated PM e-Vidya DTH TV ISL Channel No. 31 and collaborate with local
organisations and special educators to provide meaningful exposure to ISL.
The programme also featured an exhibition on multilingual education, which showcased innovative
practices and initiatives related to multilingual learning and Indian languages. A Nukkad Natak on
multilingualism presented by Kendriya Vidyalaya students added vibrancy to the programme and
conveyed the message of linguistic inclusivity and unity in diversity.
Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp seeks to benefit students, teachers and schools across the country while
strengthening national integration through the learning of multiple Indian languages and the exchange of
culture. This nationwide initiative aims to celebrate the linguistic diversity of India and promote
multilingualism among school students, in line with the vision of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
and Viksit Bharat 2047.
***
AK
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