How Much Has the Government Allocated for the Promotion of Indian Languages in 2024-25?

New Delhi, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Indian government has earmarked Rs 308.44 crore for the enhancement and promotion of Indian languages in the fiscal year 2024-25, as disclosed in Parliament on Monday.

In response to a query raised by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared the budget allocation details over the past decade under the Grants for Promotion of Indian Language (GPIL).

The data revealed that the allocation was Rs 288.88 crore in 2015-16, which saw an increase over the years, peaking at Rs 459.70 crore in 2019-20. However, this figure subsequently declined, with only Rs 197.50 crore allocated during 2021-22.

The minister emphasized that funds are not allocated based on specific languages but rather according to requirements and utilization.

Through the GPIL, the government provides financial support to institutions such as the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS), Maharishi Sandipani Rashtriya Ved Vidya Pratishthan (MSRVVP), Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language (NCPSL), and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) to promote languages including Hindi, Vedic, Classical Tamil, Sindhi, and Urdu.

Additionally, Pradhan noted that the government is dedicated to advancing Sanskrit through three Central Universities: the Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi, the Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University in New Delhi, and the National Sanskrit University in Tirupati. These institutions receive funding for education and research in Sanskrit, facilitating the issuance of degrees, diplomas, or certificates to students.

In his remarks, the minister reiterated that the government's policy is to support all Indian languages. The National Education Policy, 2020 places significant emphasis on fostering multilingualism and ensuring the vitality of Indian languages.

According to the National Education Policy, wherever feasible, the medium of instruction up to at least Class 5—and preferably up to Class 8—will be in the home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language.

The policy underscores that instruction should occur in students' home languages, and the learning of Indian languages should be integrated into both school and higher education, allowing students the flexibility to study in any Indian language.

Furthermore, the Union Budget for 2025-26 has introduced the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme to deliver educational materials in Indian languages for both school and higher education in digital formats, as noted by the minister.