Introduction
The Union Cabinet has recently granted classical language status to five more Indian languages—Marathi, Assamese, Pali, Prakrit, and Bengali—expanding India’s rich linguistic heritage. This follows fresh recommendations from the Linguistics Expert Committee, which reviewed and updated the existing criteria for classical language designation.
Recommendations of the Linguistics Expert Committee
On October 10, 2022, the Linguistics Expert Committee (LEC) under the Union Ministry of Culture submitted a detailed report proposing changes in the criteria for identifying classical languages.
The revision came after the Central Government asked the committee to re-evaluate the earlier rules.
These new criteria will come into force after approval by the Union Cabinet and publication in the official gazette.
Composition of the Committee
Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Culture
Four to five linguistic experts specializing in language history and literature
About the Classical Language Framework
The Linguistic Experts Committee was set up in 2004 by the Ministry of Culture through the Sahitya Akademi.
Its primary role is to evaluate languages proposed for classical language status.
Original & Revised Criteria (2004 → updated in 2024)
A language must satisfy the following:
High antiquity with early texts or recorded history spanning 1500–2000 years.
A rich corpus of ancient literature, valued as heritage across generations.
Availability of knowledge traditions, especially prose texts, along with poetry, inscriptions, and epigraphic evidence.
The classical form of the language may be distinct from its modern version or may not be continuous with its later offshoots.
List of Classical Languages & Year of Inclusion
| Language | Year Declared |
| Tamil | 2004 |
| Sanskrit | 2005 |
| Kannada | 2008 |
| Telugu | 2008 |
| Malayalam | 2013 |
| Odia | 2014 |
Criteria for Classical Language Status
The LEC recommends the following benchmarks:
- Antiquity: Early textual records must date back at least 1500–2000 years.
- Heritage Literature: The language must possess ancient literary works treasured by generations.
- Knowledge Texts: Presence of philosophical, scientific, or prose texts, along with epigraphs and inscriptions.
- Distinct Classical Form: The classical version may differ significantly from its modern or derived forms.
Newly Added Classical Languages
Marathi
Earliest known prose and poetry include works by Gnaneshwar, especially his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (Dnyaneshwari).
Prakrit
A group of colloquial languages used widely in ancient India.
Strong evidence from Ashoka’s inscriptions.
Literary work: Gāthā Sattasai.
Pali
Language of Buddhist philosophical texts, including the Dhammapada.
Jataka Tales were also composed in Pali.
Assamese
Rich devotional and literary tradition, including Vaishnavite poetry by Srimanta Shankardev.
Bengali
Classical contributions by poet-saints like Sri Chaitanyadeva.
Globally renowned due to Rabindranath Tagore, whose Gitanjali won the Nobel Prize.
Learnbymaps
Learn by video-
Watch the video “Difference between Language Official Language and National language”. Click here