Content
- Classical Languages of India
- Jal Jeevan Mission
Classical Languages of India
Background and Context
- India’s linguistic diversity: Over 19,500 languages/dialects spoken as per Census 2011, reflecting deep civilisational heritage.
- Policy intent: Recognition of “Classical Languages” aims to preserve, promote, and academically institutionalize India’s ancient linguistic traditions.
- Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Culture, in coordination with Ministry of Education (Language Bureau & CIIL, Mysuru).
Relevance
- GS 1 (Culture): Linguistic evolution, ancient literature, heritage preservation.
- GS 2 (Governance): Policy design for cultural preservation, institutional architecture.
Key Update (October 2024)
- Union Cabinet Decision (3 Oct 2024):
Conferred Classical Language status on Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. - Total Classical Languages (as of Oct 2025): 11
- Earlier 6 (2004–2014): Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014).
- Newly added 5 (2024): Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali.
Significance of Classical Language Status
- Cultural recognition: Acknowledges the antiquity, continuity, and intellectual contribution of a language.
- Knowledge preservation: Safeguards epics, scriptures, philosophy, grammar, and ancient sciences.
- Academic promotion: Enables creation of Centres of Excellence, research grants, digitisation projects, and translation initiatives.
- Cultural diplomacy: Enhances India’s soft power and identity as a civilisational knowledge hub.
Criteria for Recognition
(Defined by Ministry of Culture; approved by Union Cabinet)
- Antiquity of 1,500–2,000 years of recorded history.
- Rich ancient literature or texts considered as heritage by generations.
- Presence of prose, poetry, epigraphy, inscriptions beyond oral traditions.
- Distinctness between ancient and modern forms of the language.
Expansion of Linguistic Heritage (2024 Additions)
(A) Marathi
- Speakers: ~110 million (Ethnologue 2024); among top 15 global languages.
- Origin: From Maharastri Prakrit (Satavahana era, 2nd century BCE–2nd CE).
- Key Texts:
- Gathasaptasati (1st century CE, King Hala) – earliest literary work.
- Lilacharitra & Jnaneswari – medieval milestones (~13th century).
- Naneghata Inscription (~1st BCE) – early Marathi epigraphy.
- Notable Saints: Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram – Bhakti movement figures.
(B) Pali
- Timeframe: c. 500 BCE; language of early Buddhist canon.
- Region of use: India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand; extended to East Asia.
- Canonical Works (Tipitaka):
- Vinaya Pitaka – monastic rules.
- Sutta Pitaka – Buddha’s discourses.
- Abhidhamma Pitaka – philosophy & psychology.
- Scholars: Buddhaghosa (commentaries), early grammarians.
- Cultural Impact: Vehicle of Buddhist thought and moral philosophy across Asia.
(C) Prakrit
- Nature: Middle Indo-Aryan linguistic group; evolved from Sanskrit; mother to several modern Indian languages.
- Prominent Forms: Ardhamagadhi, Maharastri, Shauraseni.
- Use: By Buddha and Mahavira for sermons; language of masses.
- Inscriptional Evidence: Ashokan edicts, Kharavela inscriptions.
- Texts: Gaha Sattasai, Natyashastra mentions Prakrit as people’s language.
- Contribution: Foundation for Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Rajasthani.
(D) Assamese
- Roots: From Magadhi Apabhramsa (Eastern Prakrit line).
- Evolution: 7th century CE onward; shares lineage with Bengali and Oriya.
- Earliest Texts: Charyapadas (8th–12th centuries, Buddhist Tantric hymns).
- Later Literature: Katha Gurucharit; writings of Srimanta Sankardeva.
- Distinct Features: Retains Magadhan phonetics; evolved script by 13th century.
(E) Bengali
- Origin: From Magadhi Prakrit → Apabhramsa → Old Bengali (~10th CE).
- Early Literature: Charyapadas (47 hymns by Siddhacharyas).
- Medieval Works: Mukunda Ram (Chandimangal), Bharat Chandra, Ram Prasad.
- Renaissance Period (19th century):
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Bankim Chandra.
- Bande Mataram (Bankim) & Jana Gana Mana (Tagore).
- Global Impact: Language of Tagore (Nobel 1913); shaped India’s nationalism.
Institutional Framework for Promotion
(A) Nodal Body
- Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru under MoE’s Language Bureau.
- Mandate: Research, documentation, digitisation, and academic promotion.
(B) Centres of Excellence
| Language | Centre | Location |
| Tamil | Central Institute of Classical Tamil | Chennai |
| Telugu | Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Telugu (CESCT) | Nellore, Andhra Pradesh |
| Kannada | CESCK | University of Mysore |
| Malayalam | CESCM | Tirur, Kerala |
| Odia | CESCO | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
Examples of Activities:
- Digitisation of manuscripts & epigraphs.
- Translation of classical texts (e.g., Tirukkural in 28 Indian + 30 world languages, and Braille).
- Research on Dravidian grammar and comparative linguistics.
- Compilation of 10,000+ classical Telugu works.
- Publication of critical editions (e.g., Telugu Sasanaalu, Sankeerthana Lakshanam in Kannada).
- Odia projects: palm-leaf manuscripts, murals, archaeological documentation.
Sanskrit Promotion Initiatives
- 3 Central Sanskrit Universities (2020):
- Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi.
- Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi.
- National Sanskrit University, Tirupati.
- Financial Assistance: To Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas and Shodha Sansthans.
Key Objectives of Centres for Classical Languages
- Preserve & propagate India’s classical linguistic legacy.
- Conduct multidisciplinary research (epigraphy, archaeology, anthropology).
- Facilitate translations, audio-visual documentation, scholar training.
- Establish global chairs & linkages (e.g., Tamil Chairs in global universities).
- Connect ancient linguistic knowledge with indigenous epistemologies.
Broader Policy Vision
- Embodies “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” – heritage with progress.
- Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Culturally Rooted India vision.
- Strengthens national integration by connecting linguistic diversity with cultural unity.
- Enhances India’s soft power diplomacy through global promotion of classical languages.
Data Snapshot (As of 2025)
| Parameter | Data |
| Total Classical Languages | 11 |
| Institutions under CIIL | 5 active Centres of Excellence |
| Sanskrit Universities | 3 (established 2020) |
| Translation outreach (Tamil) | 28 Indian + 30 global languages |
| Marathi speakers | ~110 million (Ethnologue 2024) |
| Oldest Classical Text Evidence | Tolkāppiyam (Tamil, ~500 BCE) |
| Earliest Literary Work (North India) | Charyapadas (8th–12th CE) |
Jal Jeevan Mission
Why in News ?
- As of October 2025, over 15.72 crore rural households (≈81% coverage) now have functional tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
- Central outlay:₹2.08 lakh crore, marking one of the largest rural infrastructure programmes globally.
- WHO, SBI Research, IIM Bangalore–ILO, and global agencies have validated its public health, gender, and economic impacts.
Relevance
- GS 2 – Governance, Welfare Schemes, Service Delivery : Decentralized governance, community-led implementation, women’s empowerment.
- GS 3 – Environment, Economy, and Technology : Water resource management, sustainability, digital governance in infrastructure.
Basics
- Launch: 15 August 2019
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Objective: To provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024, ensuring:
- Adequate safe drinking water (55 lpcd)
- Quality monitoring
- Source sustainability
- Community participation
- Mission Motto: “Har Ghar Jal”
- Funding Pattern:
- 90:10 (NE states, UTs),
- 50:50 (other states),
- 100% central for UTs without legislature.
Progress and Key Data (as of 22 Oct 2025)
| Parameter | 2019 Baseline | 2025 Status | Growth |
| Rural households with tap water | 3.23 crore (16.7%) | 15.72 crore (81%) | +12.48 crore |
| Districts with full coverage | — | 192 (116 certified) | — |
| States/UTs with 100% coverage | — | 11 (Goa, Haryana, Gujarat, Telangana, etc.) | — |
| Schools with tap water | — | 9.23 lakh | — |
| Anganwadi centres | — | 9.66 lakh | — |
| Women trained in water testing | — | 24.8 lakh | — |
| Water samples tested (2025–26) | — | 38.78 lakh | — |
| Water labs operational | — | 2,843 | — |
Quality Assurance and Institutional Strengthening
- Water Testing Network: 2,843 labs (2,184 institutional + 659 plant-based).
- Community Testing: 24.8 lakh women trained to use Field Testing Kits (FTKs) across 5.07 lakh villages.
- Certification System:
- Reported: State/UT confirms tap water in all HHs.
- Certified: Verified through Gram Sabha resolution post-inspection.
Components of JJM
- In-village piped water infrastructure – Ensuring last-mile connectivity.
- Sustainable water sources – Rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, reuse.
- Greywater management – Treatment and reuse at household level.
- Water quality interventions – Arsenic and fluoride removal technologies.
- Digital governance – Real-time dashboards, GIS mapping, RPWSS IDs.
- Capacity building – Community mobilization, IEC campaigns, skill training.
- Contingency and O&M funds – Ensuring sustainability.
Digital Governance: RPWSS & ‘Jal Mitra’
- Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes (RPWSS) ID:
- Unique digital ID for every water scheme (to be completed by Nov 2025).
- Integrated with GIS and PM Gati Shakti for real-time monitoring.
- ‘Jal Mitra’ Application (West Bengal):
- Tracks 13.7 crore activities, functionality checks for 80.39 lakh HHs.
- Created 4,522 Jal Bachao Committees for participatory governance.
Employment & Economic Impact
- IIM Bangalore–ILO Study: ~3 crore person-years of employment generated.
- SBI Research (2025):
- 9 crore women freed from fetching water daily.
- +7.4% rise in women’s participation in agriculture and allied work.
- Economic savings: Estimated ₹8.2 lakh crore in health and productivity costs (WHO).
Health and Social Impact (WHO & Research)
- 4 lakh diarrheal deaths averted annually (WHO).
- 14 million DALYs prevented.
- 30% reduction in under-5 child mortality (Prof. Michael Kremer).
- 5.5 crore hours saved daily — 75% of which were women’s time.
- Improved attendance in schools and Anganwadi centres due to safe water.
Community-led Success Models
a) Maharashtra – Women-led Management
- Amritnath Mahila Samuha manages full water utility cycle.
- 100% bill recovery; ₹1.7 lakh earned through community management.
b) Nagaland – Source Protection
- Catchment restoration through recharge pits, trenches, and afforestation.
- Climate-resilient water systems with convergence of Forest Dept.
c) Assam – Health Transformation
- 27 waterborne disease cases (2022–23) reduced to zero post-piped water.
- Community funds system (₹1/day/HH) for O&M sustainability.
d) Rajasthan – Water Security Planning
- Ridge-to-valley approach increased water level by 70 feet.
- 11.77% rise in annual storage; 5% community cost sharing.
e) West Bengal – Digital Monitoring
- ‘Jal Mitra’ MIS ensures transparency, replaced manual record system.
Governance and Sustainability Framework
- Community Ownership: Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) managing local systems.
- Convergence: MGNREGS, SBM-G, 15th Finance Commission grants, and watershed programmes.
- Focus on Marginal Areas: Arsenic/fluoride belts, drought-prone districts.
- Capacity Building: Over 25 lakh women trained; IEC drives fostering Jan Andolan.
Challenges Ahead
- Ensuring source sustainability amid depleting groundwater.
- Operation & maintenance (O&M) post-completion — ensuring local financial viability.
- Water quality monitoring in arsenic-fluoride belts (e.g., Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan).
- Climate-induced water stress; integration with Atal Bhujal Yojana needed.
- Building skilled Jal Doots for decentralized management.
Broader Implications
- SDG Alignment:
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being)
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Economic Multiplier: Every ₹1 invested in water yields ₹4 in health, productivity, and education returns.
- Governance Benchmark: Real-time dashboards and GIS mapping model for other schemes (e.g., PMGSY, SBM).
