Content

1. Classical Languages of India
2. Jal Jeevan Mission

Classical Languages of India

Background and Context

• India’s linguistic diversity: Over 19,500 languages/dialects spoken as per Census 2011, reflecting deep civilisational heritage.
• Policy intent: Recognition of “Classical Languages” aims to preserve, promote, and academically institutionalize India’s ancient linguistic traditions.
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Culture, in coordination with Ministry of Education (Language Bureau & CIIL, Mysuru).

Relevance

• GS 1 (Culture): Linguistic evolution, ancient literature, heritage preservation.
• GS 2 (Governance): Policy design for cultural preservation, institutional architecture.

Key Update (October 2024)

• Union Cabinet Decision (3 Oct 2024):
  Conferred Classical Language status on Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
• Total Classical Languages (as of Oct 2025): 11
  • Earlier 6 (2004–2014): Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014).
  • Newly added 5 (2024): Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali.

Significance of Classical Language Status

• Cultural recognition: Acknowledges the antiquity, continuity, and intellectual contribution of a language.
• Knowledge preservation: Safeguards epics, scriptures, philosophy, grammar, and ancient sciences.
• Academic promotion: Enables creation of Centres of Excellence, research grants, digitisation projects, and translation initiatives.
• Cultural diplomacy: Enhances India’s soft power and identity as a civilisational knowledge hub.

Criteria for Recognition

(Defined by Ministry of Culture; approved by Union Cabinet)

• Antiquity of 1,500–2,000 years of recorded history.
• Rich ancient literature or texts considered as heritage by generations.
• Presence of prose, poetry, epigraphy, inscriptions beyond oral traditions.
• Distinctness between ancient and modern forms of the language.

Expansion of Linguistic Heritage (2024 Additions)

(A) Marathi

• Speakers: ~110 million (Ethnologue 2024); among top 15 global languages.
• Origin: From Maharastri Prakrit (Satavahana era, 2nd century BCE–2nd CE).
• Key Texts:
  • Gathasaptasati (1st century CE, King Hala) – earliest literary work.
  • Lilacharitra & Jnaneswari – medieval milestones (~13th century).
  • Naneghata Inscription (~1st BCE) – early Marathi epigraphy.
• Notable Saints: Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Tukaram – Bhakti movement figures.

(B) Pali

• Timeframe: c. 500 BCE; language of early Buddhist canon.
• Region of use: India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand; extended to East Asia.
• Canonical Works (Tipitaka):
  • Vinaya Pitaka – monastic rules.
  • Sutta Pitaka – Buddha’s discourses.
  • Abhidhamma Pitaka – philosophy & psychology.
• Scholars: Buddhaghosa (commentaries), early grammarians.
• Cultural Impact: Vehicle of Buddhist thought and moral philosophy across Asia.

(C) Prakrit

• Nature: Middle Indo-Aryan linguistic group; evolved from Sanskrit; mother to several modern Indian languages.
• Prominent Forms: Ardhamagadhi, Maharastri, Shauraseni.
• Use: By Buddha and Mahavira for sermons; language of masses.
• Inscriptional Evidence: Ashokan edicts, Kharavela inscriptions.
• Texts: Gaha Sattasai, Natyashastra mentions Prakrit as people’s language.
• Contribution: Foundation for Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Rajasthani.

(D) Assamese

• Roots: From Magadhi Apabhramsa (Eastern Prakrit line).
• Evolution: 7th century CE onward; shares lineage with Bengali and Oriya.
• Earliest Texts: Charyapadas (8th–12th centuries, Buddhist Tantric hymns).
• Later Literature: Katha Gurucharit; writings of Srimanta Sankardeva.
• Distinct Features: Retains Magadhan phonetics; evolved script by 13th century.

(E) Bengali

• Origin: From Magadhi Prakrit → Apabhramsa → Old Bengali (~10th CE).
• Early Literature: Charyapadas (47 hymns by Siddhacharyas).
• Medieval Works: Mukunda Ram (Chandimangal), Bharat Chandra, Ram Prasad.
• Renaissance Period (19th century):
  • Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Bankim Chandra.
  • Bande Mataram (Bankim) & Jana Gana Mana (Tagore).
• Global Impact: Language of Tagore (Nobel 1913); shaped India’s nationalism.

Institutional Framework for Promotion

(A) Nodal Body

• Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru under MoE’s Language Bureau.
• Mandate: Research, documentation, digitisation, and academic promotion.

(B) Centres of Excellence

Examples of Activities:

• Digitisation of manuscripts & epigraphs.
• Translation of classical texts (e.g., Tirukkural in 28 Indian + 30 world languages, and Braille).
• Research on Dravidian grammar and comparative linguistics.
• Compilation of 10,000+ classical Telugu works.
• Publication of critical editions (e.g., Telugu Sasanaalu, Sankeerthana Lakshanam in Kannada).
• Odia projects: palm-leaf manuscripts, murals, archaeological documentation.

Sanskrit Promotion Initiatives

• 3 Central Sanskrit Universities (2020):
  • Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi.
  • Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi.
  • National Sanskrit University, Tirupati.
• Financial Assistance: To Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas and Shodha Sansthans.

Key Objectives of Centres for Classical Languages

• Preserve & propagate India’s classical linguistic legacy.
• Conduct multidisciplinary research (epigraphy, archaeology, anthropology).
• Facilitate translations, audio-visual documentation, scholar training.
• Establish global chairs & linkages (e.g., Tamil Chairs in global universities).
• Connect ancient linguistic knowledge with indigenous epistemologies.

Broader Policy Vision

• Embodies “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” – heritage with progress.
• Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Culturally Rooted India vision.
• Strengthens national integration by connecting linguistic diversity with cultural unity.
• Enhances India’s soft power diplomacy through global promotion of classical languages.

Data Snapshot (As of 2025)

Jal Jeevan Mission

Why in News ?

• As of October 2025, over 15.72 crore rural households (≈81% coverage) now have functional tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
• Central outlay:₹2.08 lakh crore, marking one of the largest rural infrastructure programmes globally.
• WHO, SBI Research, IIM Bangalore–ILO, and global agencies have validated its public health, gender, and economic impacts.

Relevance

• GS 2 – Governance, Welfare Schemes, Service Delivery : Decentralized governance, community-led implementation, women’s empowerment.
• GS 3 – Environment, Economy, and Technology : Water resource management, sustainability, digital governance in infrastructure.

Basics

• Launch: 15 August 2019
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Objective: To provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024, ensuring:
  • Adequate safe drinking water (55 lpcd)
  • Quality monitoring
  • Source sustainability
  • Community participation
• Mission Motto: “Har Ghar Jal”
• Funding Pattern:
  • 90:10 (NE states, UTs),
  • 50:50 (other states),
  • 100% central for UTs without legislature.

Progress and Key Data (as of 22 Oct 2025)

Quality Assurance and Institutional Strengthening

• Water Testing Network: 2,843 labs (2,184 institutional + 659 plant-based).
• Community Testing: 24.8 lakh women trained to use Field Testing Kits (FTKs) across 5.07 lakh villages.
• Certification System:
  • Reported: State/UT confirms tap water in all HHs.
  • Certified: Verified through Gram Sabha resolution post-inspection.

Components of JJM

• In-village piped water infrastructure – Ensuring last-mile connectivity.
• Sustainable water sources – Rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, reuse.
• Greywater management – Treatment and reuse at household level.
• Water quality interventions – Arsenic and fluoride removal technologies.
• Digital governance – Real-time dashboards, GIS mapping, RPWSS IDs.
• Capacity building – Community mobilization, IEC campaigns, skill training.
• Contingency and O&M funds – Ensuring sustainability.

Digital Governance: RPWSS & ‘Jal Mitra’

• Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes (RPWSS) ID:
  • Unique digital ID for every water scheme (to be completed by Nov 2025).
  • Integrated with GIS and PM Gati Shakti for real-time monitoring.
• ‘Jal Mitra’ Application (West Bengal):
  • Tracks 13.7 crore activities, functionality checks for 80.39 lakh HHs.
  • Created 4,522 Jal Bachao Committees for participatory governance.

Employment & Economic Impact

• IIM Bangalore–ILO Study: ~3 crore person-years of employment generated.
• SBI Research (2025):
  • 9 crore women freed from fetching water daily.
  • +7.4% rise in women’s participation in agriculture and allied work.
• Economic savings: Estimated ₹8.2 lakh crore in health and productivity costs (WHO).

Health and Social Impact (WHO & Research)

• 4 lakh diarrheal deaths averted annually (WHO).
• 14 million DALYs prevented.
• 30% reduction in under-5 child mortality (Prof. Michael Kremer).
• 5.5 crore hours saved daily — 75% of which were women’s time.
• Improved attendance in schools and Anganwadi centres due to safe water.

Community-led Success Models

a) Maharashtra – Women-led Management

• Amritnath Mahila Samuha manages full water utility cycle.
• 100% bill recovery; ₹1.7 lakh earned through community management.

b) Nagaland – Source Protection

• Catchment restoration through recharge pits, trenches, and afforestation.
• Climate-resilient water systems with convergence of Forest Dept.

c) Assam – Health Transformation

• 27 waterborne disease cases (2022–23) reduced to zero post-piped water.
• Community funds system (₹1/day/HH) for O&M sustainability.

d) Rajasthan – Water Security Planning

• Ridge-to-valley approach increased water level by 70 feet.
• 11.77% rise in annual storage; 5% community cost sharing.

e) West Bengal – Digital Monitoring

• ‘Jal Mitra’ MIS ensures transparency, replaced manual record system.

Governance and Sustainability Framework

• Community Ownership: Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) managing local systems.
• Convergence: MGNREGS, SBM-G, 15th Finance Commission grants, and watershed programmes.
• Focus on Marginal Areas: Arsenic/fluoride belts, drought-prone districts.
• Capacity Building: Over 25 lakh women trained; IEC drives fostering Jan Andolan.

Challenges Ahead

• Ensuring source sustainability amid depleting groundwater.
• Operation & maintenance (O&M) post-completion — ensuring local financial viability.
• Water quality monitoring in arsenic-fluoride belts (e.g., Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan).
• Climate-induced water stress; integration with Atal Bhujal Yojana needed.
• Building skilled Jal Doots for decentralized management.

Broader Implications

• SDG Alignment:
  • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
  • SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being)
  • SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
  • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
• Economic Multiplier: Every ₹1 invested in water yields ₹4 in health, productivity, and education returns.
• Governance Benchmark: Real-time dashboards and GIS mapping model for other schemes (e.g., PMGSY, SBM).