Classical Languages of India Notes for UPSC: List & Criteria for Declaration

India, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse linguistic landscape, is home to a variety of languages. Among these, a few hold special status as classical languages of India. One of the important and interesting questions is how many classical languages are there in India? Earlier, there were six Classical Languages of India. They were Tamil, Sanskrit, Odia, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. However, the Cabinet has recently approved inclusion of five more Indian languages i.e Marathi, Prakrit, Pali, Bengali and Assamese into the list. This increases the total number of classical languages in India from six to eleven.

In this article, we will study about all classical languages in India. We will also learn the benefits accorded to classical languages of India, their historical origins, as well as the criteria used to categorize them. 

The Classical language is an important topic of Art and Culture, the History section of GS Paper 1 of prelims and GS Paper 1 of Mains in the UPSC examination. So let's start with understanding about different classical languages in India.

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What is Classical Language?

A Classical Language is a language that has a rich and ancient literary tradition, distinct from its modern form, and has made significant contributions to the cultural and intellectual heritage of a nation. In India, a language is given classical status based on specific criteria such as antiquity of its early texts or recorded history over 1500–2000 years, a body of ancient literature considered a valuable heritage by generations, and its original literary tradition not borrowed from another speech community. 

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Different Classical Languages of India

In India, there are many languages spoken. But only a few are classified as classical languages. India's heritage has been greatly influenced by languages that hold enormous cultural significance and historical value. The following table gives us the list of classical languages in India, along with a brief description of each of them.

Chronology of Notifications

NOTE: “The Union Cabinet approved classical status for five more languages—Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali—on 3 October 2024, raising the total from six to eleven. ([PIB, 3 Oct 2024])”

Criteria for Declaring Classical Languages of India

The criteria on which a language can be labeled as classical in India are that it has its origin from ancient times, possesses a wealthy literary heritage, is significant in terms of history, is linguistically distinct, and is still used in modern culture. The labeling helps to find and preserve the invaluable cultural and linguistic wealth that a particular language owns. Through the identification and promotion of classical languages, India acknowledges its multilingual diversity and consolidates its cultural heritage for future generations. 

The Government of India has established specific criteria to identify and acknowledge classical languages, which are discussed below:

• One of the most important criteria is the depth of history of the language in terms of having a documented past of at least 1,500 to 2,000 years.
• This lengthy duration illustrates the language's robustness and its persistent significance throughout diverse historical periods.
• Another very significant factor is whether or not there is a large body of ancient texts in the language.
• These books must be of high quality and must cover a wide range of genres like poetry, plays, philosophy, scientific dissertations, religious texts, etc.
• It must have been influential to other languages. The language must play a significant role in shaping human language systems.
• This aspect points towards the strength of the language and its capacity to influence the linguistic landscape of the area.
• It acknowledges the intrinsic worth of the language alongside its broader cultural and historical importance.
• The language should have a distinctly pronounced and individual grammatical structure and linguistic organization.
• This standard helps to ensure that the language has remained original and consistent, making it unique from other languages.
• The language has to have a strong, rich literary and cultural background actively pursued and remembered by significant groups of people.
• There must be a community of native speakers, a community that has retained the richness of the language and continues to contribute to its development and progress.
• This standard emphasizes the dynamic nature of language and its persisting relevance in contemporary times.

Revised Criteria & Role of Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC)

The original criteria were framed in 2004 and then formally revised in 2005, notably adding the clause that the classical form must be discontinuous from its modern form or offshoots—to ensure it represents a separate literary tradition.

A Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC), formed by the Ministry of Culture under Sahitya Akademi, screens each such request (e.g., proposals from state governments for Marathi, Assamese, etc.). Proposed languages are subsequently finalized after the approval of the Union Cabinet, which reviewed its most recent list in September 2024.

Additionally, inter-ministerial vetting may introduce stricter benchmarks, e.g. in 2017 MHA recommended tightening criteria before Marathi approval—a process completed in 2024.

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Benefits Accorded to Classical Languages of India

Classical languages in India are specially honored and privileged due to their cultural, historical, and linguistic significance. The Government of India declares certain languages as classical and provides them with special rights and support. The following are some of the privileges provided to classical languages in India:

• Classical languages are seen as treasure troves of historical literature, religious literature, and cultural heritage. The government attempts to preserve and promote the vast cultural heritage that is associated with these languages by acknowledging and supporting them.
• Official Language Status: Classical languages are likely to acquire official language status in areas where they are widely spoken. This status ensures their use in government, schools, and other official domains.
• Financial assistance and grants are provided by the government in order to enable research, documentation, and advocacy of ancient languages. The financial assistance is necessary for the publication of books, translation of historical texts, holding seminars and conferences, and other scholarly activities.
• Classical languages are included in the curriculum of schools and universities. The inclusion of classical languages in the curriculum allows students to learn and study classical languages. This makes them continuous and preserves them.
• Classical language scholars and researchers are eligible for a wide range of national fellowships and scholarships. These fellowships are meant to sponsor their research activities, encourage research endeavors, and allow the exchange of scholarly papers.
• Festivals and functions are cultural events that are festive occasions celebrating the beauty of ancient languages and making their literary and artistic heritage known. They are very important in creating awareness and evoking the interest of individuals, particularly the youth.
• Classical languages contribute a lot towards promoting tourism by attracting tourists who are keen to visit the historical and cultural aspects of classical languages. Government support promotes heritage tourism and encourages conservation of ancient monuments, inscriptions, and sites associated with classical languages.
• The classification of a language as classical bestows great international prestige and raises its profile and the literature it represents. It makes collaborative work with researchers and institutions globally with the aim of promoting scholarly interactions and raising the global profile of such languages.
• In addition to grants and curriculum integration, the Government of India also supports Centres of Excellence in Classical Languages at a place like the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, with infrastructure for grand text digitization, translation, seminars, and digital archiving.
• Classical language scholars are qualified for yearly international awards (Shrinivas Raghavan or other international literature awards) and professorial chairs under the Classical Languages section—intentionally distinct from proposed-language fellowships in order to motivate scholars.

Importance and Significance of Classical Languages of India

These classical languages have significant historical, literary, and cultural importance.

• Classical languages serve as a prism through which India's ancient past can be seen, preserving the cultural identity of the different regions. Classical languages serve as keepers of historical texts, literature, and scriptures that provide insights into the country's historical, social, and religious traditions. By keeping the classical languages alive, India ensures that its rich heritage is accessible and understandable to the next generation.
• Recognition and development of classical languages promote multilingualism in India. It promotes a feeling of linguistic diversity and coexistence among the masses. People who have knowledge of classical languages can identify and relate to the richness of culture that they hold. Multilingualism not only improves communication but also social relationships and national integration.
• Study of classical languages confers many academic and intellectual benefits. The classical languages are a basic foundation for the study of many subjects like literature, philosophy, history, and linguistics. Classical language pupils comprehend the nuances that are inherent in language, literature, and the evolution of human intellectual growth.
• This comprehension reinforces their overall mental development and provokes the development of reasoning capabilities.
• Classical languages are significant to preserve and retain ancient knowledge. The vast collection of scriptures and books in classical languages contains precious wisdom, scientific findings, and philosophical thoughts. Through the reading and analysis of these writings, researchers and scholars are able to obtain ancient wisdom and convey valuable developments in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and spirituality.
• Classical languages are symbolic of quality literature and art. Classical languages have been the medium of composition of quality literary masterpieces, poetry, and epics. India encourages the cultivation and appreciation of its literary heritage through the encouragement of classical languages. This move gives an opportunity for artists, writers, and poets to showcase their talent and contribute to Indian literature.
• Classic languages are cultural bridges connecting diverse cultures and enriching the intellectual understanding of India's great heritage. They make cultural exchange possible, and scholars and enthusiasts from all over the world are attracted to study and explore these languages. With the establishment of classical languages, India becomes the center of global intellectual exchange, making communication and exchange of respect between various cultures easier.

Institutional Process & Governance Structure

The Ministry of Culture awards classical language status through the Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC), which consists of Sahitya Akademi representatives and scholars of language.
The LEC is empowered to:

• Review the historical texts and literary corpus to verify antiquity and originality.
• Assess discontinuity between classical and modern forms, an essential criterion added in 2005.

During 2024, in response to regional demands (e.g., Maharashtra for Marathi, Assam for Assamese), the LEC voted in consensus for five languages for classical status. The Cabinet, and then the President's Notification in Gazette, legalized the status on 3 October 2024.

Unlike constitutional amendments, the process is executive-based and policy-driven, not subject to legislative vote, which is vital to understand in an exam context.

Residual Demands

Even after recognising eleven languages, several linguistic communities remain aspirant for classical status. For example:

• Meitei (Manipuri)—Sahitya Akademi petitioned LEC in 2007 (as term Dhrupadi Bhasha) highlighting centuries-old literary lineage.
• Maithili—although included in the Eighth Schedule, lacks unified literary historiography of 1500+ years.

The revision of LEC criteria in 2024, raising the antiquity threshold to 1500–2000 years, presents both an opportunity and challenge for lesser-known languages. Their future recognition will hinge on textual evidence and state advocacy.

Conclusion

Classical languages are unique not only because of their age but also because of their impact on various elements of Indian culture. Their impact on literature, philosophy, religion, art, and science has been significant and has left an imprint on the cultural environment of the country. Ancient texts, scriptures, and literary works have been preserved and propagated via these languages. This has helped connect the present generation to their roots.

The recognition of these languages as Classical Languages is not merely honorary; it bestows upon them a special status and support for their preservation and promotion. It acknowledges their contribution to the historical and cultural legacy of India. The Classical Language status also gives an impetus to research, academic activity, and development of linguistic resources pertaining to these languages.

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