Archive · 12 Aug 2025
India Works to Preserve 117 Endangered Languages
The Indian government is trying to save languages that are in danger of disappearing.
They're doing this by studying and recording 117 languages spoken by very few people.
They have a special plan called SPPEL, and a group called CIIL is doing the work.
They are also promoting Indian languages by using digital platforms like Bharatavani.
The government is also helping to promote all Indian languages, and providing support to Universities and various education programs.
The government also provides resources, such as textbooks in local languages and offers major exams in multiple languages so everyone can have the opportunity to be educated.
The Indian government is working to preserve and document 117 endangered languages spoken by fewer than 10,000 people.
This initiative is part of the 'Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India (SPPEL)' and includes efforts by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).
Bharatavani, a digital platform, offers resources for 77 tribal languages, including language learning tools and dictionaries.
The government promotes Sanskrit through three Central Universities and other Indian languages, including classical languages.
Initiatives include primers in multiple languages and conducting major exams in 12 Indian languages.
- Who
- The Indian government, led by Minister Kiren Rijiju, along with CIIL and other educational bodies.
- What
- Initiatives to preserve and promote endangered Indian languages.
- When
- Ongoing, with specific data from 2024-25.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To protect and preserve India's linguistic diversity and promote multilingual education.
- Languages Targeted
- 117 endangered languages
- Government Scheme
- SPPEL (Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India)
- Key Organization
- CIIL (Central Institute of Indian Languages)
- Digital Platform
- Bharatavani
- Languages on Bharatavani
- 77 tribal languages
- Financial aid (2024-25)
- Rs 83.50 lakh each for Kannada, Telugu, Odia and Malayalam, Rs 1,430 lakh for Tamil