Rajasthan Governor Bagde orders Rajasthani language centres in 11 universities
Synopsis
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde has ordered all 11 state universities to set up Rajasthani Language Study Centres — a move that goes beyond cultural symbolism. Framed under NEP 2020's mother-tongue mandate and modelled on an existing Marathi-language precedent, it is the most concrete institutional push for Rajasthani yet, even as the language still lacks official national recognition.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde directed 11 state universities to establish Rajasthani Language Study Centres on 28 July .
The directive was issued by the Governor's Secretariat and sent to all vice-chancellors, who must submit a compliance report to Raj Bhavan .
The move is aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 , which prioritises education in the mother tongue.
A similar initiative for Marathi Language Study Centres was cited as the precedent for this directive.
Universities covered span the state, from Jaipur and Jodhpur to Banswara , Alwar , and Bharatpur .
Rajasthan Governor and Chancellor Haribhau Bagde has directed all 11 state-funded universities to establish dedicated Rajasthani Language Study Centres, in a move aimed at preserving the state's linguistic and cultural heritage. The directive, issued by the Governor's Secretariat on Tuesday, 28 July, was dispatched to the vice-chancellors of all 11 institutions, requiring them to begin the process immediately and report progress to Raj Bhavan.
What the Directive Says
The Governor's Secretariat noted that the Rajasthani language is spoken across a large portion of the state and embodies its rich cultural legacy. The directive draws a direct parallel with a similar initiative already undertaken to establish Marathi Language Study Centres in universities, signalling a broader policy push for regional language preservation across institutions under the Chancellor's purview.
All vice-chancellors have been asked to initiate the establishment process at the earliest and submit a formal compliance report to the Governor's Secretariat. No specific deadline for compliance was mentioned in the directive, though the language used — 'immediately initiate' — indicates urgency.
The NEP 2020 Connection
The directive explicitly cites the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places the highest priority on education in the mother tongue. Establishing Rajasthani language centres is framed as a direct academic response to that national policy mandate. This positions the move not merely as a cultural gesture but as an institutional alignment with a central education framework.
Universities Covered
The directive covers 11 state universities spread across Rajasthan, including Rajasthan University (Jaipur), Jai Narain Vyas University (Jodhpur), Mohanlal Sukhadia University (Udaipur), Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University (Ajmer), Kota University (Kota), Maharaja Ganga Singh University (Bikaner), Vardhman Mahaveer Open University (Kota), Govind Guru Tribal University (Banswara), Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University (Sikar), Maharaja Surajmal Brij University (Bharatpur), and Raj Rishi Bhartrihari Matsya University (Alwar). The geographic spread ensures that the initiative reaches institutions across the state's major divisions.
Expected Impact
The centres are expected to strengthen academic research, documentation, and teaching of the Rajasthani language, while also safeguarding the state's literary traditions for future generations. Notably, Rajasthani does not yet have official language status at the national level — a long-standing demand of cultural groups — making institutional academic support through the university system a significant, if partial, step in that direction.
Point of View
But they create an academic infrastructure that strengthens the case. The Marathi precedent cited in the directive also raises a question mainstream coverage has missed: if this model is being replicated from Maharashtra, is the Governor's Secretariat quietly building a template for regional language promotion across all states under its remit? The compliance-report requirement gives this directive teeth — but follow-through will depend on whether Raj Bhavan pursues laggard institutions.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde directed regarding the Rajasthani language?
Governor Haribhau Bagde has directed all 11 state-funded universities in Rajasthan to establish Rajasthani Language Study Centres. The directive, issued on 28 July, asks vice-chancellors to begin the process immediately and submit a compliance report to Raj Bhavan.
Which universities are covered by this directive?
The directive covers 11 state universities: Rajasthan University (Jaipur), Jai Narain Vyas University (Jodhpur), Mohanlal Sukhadia University (Udaipur), Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University (Ajmer), Kota University (Kota), Maharaja Ganga Singh University (Bikaner), Vardhman Mahaveer Open University (Kota), Govind Guru Tribal University (Banswara), Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University (Sikar), Maharaja Surajmal Brij University (Bharatpur), and Raj Rishi Bhartrihari Matsya University (Alwar).
How does NEP 2020 relate to this initiative?
The National Education Policy 2020 places the highest priority on education in the mother tongue. The Governor's directive explicitly cites NEP 2020 as the policy basis for establishing dedicated Rajasthani language centres in universities.
Has a similar initiative been taken for any other regional language?
Yes. The Governor's Secretariat noted that Marathi Language Study Centres have already been established in universities, and the Rajasthani language centres are being set up in the same spirit.
What is the purpose of the Rajasthani Language Study Centres?
The centres are intended to promote academic research, teaching, and documentation of the Rajasthani language, and to preserve the state's literary and cultural heritage for future generations.
