The Education Ministry has approved five Centres of Excellence to preserve India’s classical languages. The centres will support advanced study and research.

The centres cover Classical Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit, according to The Times of India. The Indian Express and The Hindu confirmed the approval.

Each centre will work on documentation, research and teaching. The goal is to keep the languages alive in scholarship and public life.

India has been expanding recognition for classical languages. The centres are the latest step in that push.

Academics welcomed the move. They say dedicated centres will help train the next generation of scholars in these traditions.

DD News and APAC Media reported the approval. The Morung Express said the centres will preserve India’s linguistic heritage.

The Hindu confirmed the centres will be set up in five classical languages. APAC Media said the move preserves India’s linguistic heritage.

Scholars say the centres cannot come soon enough.