Classical languages of India
A status the Union government gives to languages of great antiquity and rich literature, bringing awards, research centres and chairs.
What the paper can ask
- Status instituted in 2004 by the Ministry of Culture on the advice of the Linguistic Experts' Committee.
- 2024 criteria: early texts showing high antiquity over 1,500 to 2,000 years; the 'original literary tradition' requirement was dropped.
- Benefits: two annual international awards, a Centre of Excellence and proposed chairs in central universities.
- Five languages were added at once in October 2024, the largest single addition.
Latest
As of October 2026 there are 11 classical languages: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu and Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014), and Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali (October 2024).
Why exams ask
The first language, the year of each, the five added in 2024 and the total are asked every year.
The full story
'Classical language' is a status conferred by the Ministry of Culture on the advice of a Linguistic Experts' Committee. The 2004 criteria asked for recorded history over 1,500 to 2,000 years, a body of ancient literature valued as heritage and an original tradition not borrowed from another; the criteria were revised in 2024, dropping the 'original literary tradition' test.
Test yourself
1.Which language was the first to be declared a classical language of India, in 2004?
Correct. Tamil was declared classical on 12 October 2004, the first of India's classical languages.
Not quite. Tamil was declared classical on 12 October 2004, the first of India's classical languages. It goes into your error book.
2.In which year was Sanskrit declared a classical language of India?
Correct. Sanskrit received classical status in 2005, a year after Tamil.
Not quite. Sanskrit received classical status in 2005, a year after Tamil. It goes into your error book.
3.Telugu and Kannada were both declared classical languages in which year?
Correct. Both Telugu and Kannada received classical status on 31 October 2008.
Not quite. Both Telugu and Kannada received classical status on 31 October 2008. It goes into your error book.