Promoting linguistic inclusivity in higher education under Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme

The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, organised a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary (Higher Education), to gather feedback and insights on the Union Budget initiative — the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme (BBPS) . The scheme aims to promote multilingualism in higher education and ensure the availability of quality learning materials in all 22 scheduled Indian languages.

The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme (BBPS), announced in the Union Budget 2024–25, is a key initiative of the Government of India to promote linguistic inclusivity in higher education. Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, the scheme seeks to create, translate, and distribute high-quality textbooks and academic materials in all 22 scheduled Indian languages. It aims to make higher education more accessible to students who prefer learning in their mother tongue or regional language, thereby reducing dependence on English-language resources.

During the meeting, representatives from States and Union Territories, government and private universities, and various academic institutions participated in detailed discussions. The deliberations focused on strengthening academic resources, supporting faculty development, and enhancing the creation and dissemination of textbooks and learning content in Indian languages.

Dr. Joshi emphasised a “Whole-of-Government” and “Whole-of-Society” approach, highlighting the importance of collective participation from educational institutions, publishers, industry experts, and the public to advance linguistic diversity in higher education. The initiative also aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which underscores the importance of promoting Indian languages in education, research, and innovation.

Over 200 stakeholders from across the country, along with senior Ministry officials, attended the session, reaffirming a shared vision of empowering students and teachers through multilingual learning resources. The Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is expected to bridge linguistic gaps, foster regional knowledge systems, and strengthen India’s academic ecosystem through inclusive and culturally rooted education.