Brief
India Announces Centres of Excellence for Five Classical Languages at Five Universities
Five Indian universities will host dedicated Centres of Excellence for Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, per a government list released on Oct. 3, 2026.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Indian government released a list on Oct. 3, 2026, designating five universities to host Centres of Excellence for Classical Assamese, Classical Bengali, Classical Marathi, Classical Pali and Classical Prakrit.
What happened
The initiative assigns each language to a specific institution: Classical Assamese to Tezpur University in Assam; Classical Bengali to Visva Bharati University in West Bengal; Classical Marathi to the Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute in Pune, Maharashtra; Classical Pali to the Central University of Odisha; and Classical Prakrit to the Central University of Gujarat. The centres will be established within the selected universities and research institutions, each serving as the primary hub for scholarly work on its assigned language.
What the reports add
News18 notes that the centres will be created across five different states—Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha and Gujarat—reflecting a geographically diverse rollout. The outlet also highlights that the list was part of a broader government effort to promote classical language studies, though no budget figures or timelines were provided.
What was said
No direct quotations appear in the source; the announcement is presented as a factual release by the government.
How it came about
The move follows ongoing policy measures aimed at preserving India’s classical linguistic heritage. Earlier Felo News coverage has examined university reforms and cultural initiatives, providing context for the government's focus on higher‑education institutions as custodians of classical scholarship.
Key facts
- Five universities will host Centres of Excellence for Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit. (news18.com)
- Tezpur University (Assam) will host the Classical Assamese centre. (news18.com)
- Visva Bharati University (West Bengal) will host the Classical Bengali centre. (news18.com)
- Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute (Pune, Maharashtra) will host the Classical Marathi centre. (news18.com)
- Central University of Odisha will host the Classical Pali centre. (news18.com)
- Central University of Gujarat will host the Classical Prakrit centre. (news18.com)
Sources
- [1] news18.com — originally reported as “Centre Announces Centres Of Excellence For 5 Classical Languages Across 5 Universities”
