Ministry of Culture Advances Classical Language Preservation Through New Promotion Strategies
Six Indian languages namely Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia have been accorded the status of Classical Language. The year in which these languages conferred the status of classical language is as given below :
| Classical Language | Date of Notification |
| Tamil | 12.10.2004 |
| Sanskrit | 25.11.2005 |
| Kannada | 31.10.2008 |
| Telugu | 31.10.2008 |
| Malayalam | 08.08.2013 |
| Odia | 11.03.2014 |
The policy of the Government is to promote all Indian languages including classical languages. The National Education Policy, 2020 focuses on promotion of all Indian Languages. Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) works for the promotion of all Indian languages including four classical languages viz. Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia. Development and promotion of Classical Tamil is done by Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT). The Government of India is promoting Sanskrit Language through three Central Universities. Funds are provided to these universities for teaching and research in Sanskrit language leading to award of degree, diploma, certificate to students and no separate funds are provided for undertaking any work related to classical aspect of Sanskrit. The details of funds provided for various classical languages for the last 10 years are given at Annexure-A.
No proposal has been received in respect of Classical language projects in respect of Classical Malayalam language.
This information was given by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Annexure – A
Budget grant sanctioned to Classical languages
(Rs. In Lakhs)
| Year | Kannada | Telugu | Odia | Malayalam | Tamil |
| 2014-15 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 8.80 | ||
| 2015-16 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 11.89 | ||
| 2016-17 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 5.02 | ||
| 2017-18 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 10.27 | ||
| 2018-19 | 99.00 | 100.00 | 5.46 | ||
| 2019-20 | 107.00 | 107.00 | 9.83 | ||
| 2020-21 | 108.00 | 147.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 1200 |
| 2021-22 | 106.50 | 103.00 | 58.38 | 63.97 | 1200 |
| 2022-23 | 171.75 | 171.75 | 176.75 | 186.75 | 1200 |
| 2023-24 | 154.50 | 154.50 | 138.50 | 112.50 | 1525 |