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Literature & Languages

Literature & Languages (Art & Culture).

Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS1: Indian culture - art forms, literature, architecture

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GS1 · Art & culture

Centres of Excellence approved for five newer classical languages

On 3 October 2026 the Ministry of Education approved five Centres of Excellence for Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, hosted by Tezpur University, Visva-Bharati, Deccan College Pune, Central University of Odisha and Central University of Gujarat. These five got classical status in October 2024, taking India's total to 11 classical languages.

UPSC angle: Prelims: match language with CoE institution; list of classical languages.

3 Oct 2026
GS1 · Culture

Gyan Bharatam Mission for manuscript survey and digitisation

The Gyan Bharatam Mission of the Ministry of Culture, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, aims to survey, catalogue, conserve and digitise India's manuscripts, the Culture Minister told Lok Sabha on 3 August 2026. ₹491.66 crore is sanctioned for 2025 to 2031. A National Manuscript Survey launched in March 2026 has reported over 1.19 crore manuscripts.

UPSC angle: Prelims: missions on heritage.

3 Aug 2026
GS1/2 · Languages / polity

Constitution published in Santhali for the first time

Reading the Constitution in one's own language is part of legal literacy. Tribal languages have had little official material so far.

UPSC angle: Prelims: Eighth Schedule, Ol Chiki.

25 Dec 2025