Textbooks in 22 Indian languages under new scheme

Soon, higher education students will be able to study textbooks in 22 Indian languages as the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme will be implemented to provide digital Indian language books. Sources in the Union Education Ministry said groundwork for its implementation had been done.Not only the books will be translated but original content will also be created under the scheme.

This initiative will enhance learning by enabling students to understand subjects better in their own languages.

The scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, aims to make digital textbooks available in Indian languages for students. It will cater to all disciplines.

“The rollout will be digital. For example, if a student of mechanical engineering is studying machine design. The initiative is to produce four books in different languages. The first language will be of the state in which the college is located and the other languages will be based on the number of students in the class who want the book in their languages,” an official said.

The scheme is rooted in the vision of the National Education Policy, which emphasises the use of Indian languages in education.

“We have done the mapping to identify the courses in higher education institutions and the textbooks associated with them. There will be original books written as well. For example, in Manipur, a book will be translated in the local language followed by other languages. And original writing will also be done. Books in all disciplines will be written,” the official said.

At the undergraduate level, the courses in disciplines such as arts, commerce, science, law, agriculture and medicine will be included.

The effort is being spearheaded by the University Grants Commission and the Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti under the Ministry of Education.

“It will help students from different linguistic backgrounds to understand the subject better. It will also promote Indian languages,” the official added.