UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PROMOTION OF CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

Q1. The revised criteria that were adopted for conferring Classical Language status—including the antiquity benchmark of 1500–2000 years—were finalised by a Linguistic Experts Committee constituted under which one of the following bodies?

• A. Sahitya Akademi
• B. Central Institute of Indian Languages
• C. Indian Council of Historical Research
• D. University Grants Commission

Q2. Consider the following pairs of a Classical Language and the year it was accorded that status: 1. Tamil — 2004 2. Telugu — 2008 3. Malayalam — 2013 4. Odia — 2004 Which of the above pairs is/are NOT correctly matched?

1. Tamil — 2004
2. Telugu — 2008
3. Malayalam — 2013
4. Odia — 2004

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 3 only
• C. 4 only
• D. 2 and 4

Q3. With reference to the administrative framework for Classical Languages in India, which one of the following statements correctly describes the division of responsibility between ministries?

• A. The Ministry of Culture confers Classical Language status, while the Ministry of Education implements schemes for their promotion and preservation
• B. The Ministry of Education confers the status, while the Ministry of Culture funds their promotion
• C. Both conferment of status and promotional schemes rest exclusively with the Ministry of Culture
• D. The Sahitya Akademi confers the status, which the Ministry of Culture then promotes

Q4. The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, through which several Classical Languages are promoted, functions under which one of the following?

• A. The Language Bureau of the Ministry of Education
• B. The Ministry of Culture
• C. The Sahitya Akademi
• D. The Ministry of Minority Affairs

Q5. As revised by the Linguistic Experts Committee in 2024, the criteria laid down for conferring Classical Language status number how many?

• A. Three
• B. Four
• C. Five
• D. Six

Q6. With reference to how the revised criteria differ from the earlier criteria for Classical Language status, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the earlier criteria, the revised criteria explicitly recognise that a Classical Language and its literature may be distinct from, or discontinuous with, later offshoots. 2. The revised criteria added knowledge texts (especially prose) and epigraphical/inscriptional evidence as a consideration. 3. The revised criteria retained the earlier requirement that the literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Unlike the earlier criteria, the revised criteria explicitly recognise that a Classical Language and its literature may be distinct from, or discontinuous with, later offshoots.
2. The revised criteria added knowledge texts (especially prose) and epigraphical/inscriptional evidence as a consideration.
3. The revised criteria retained the earlier requirement that the literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. With reference to the institutional arrangements for promoting different Classical Languages, consider the following statements: 1. Classical Tamil is promoted through a dedicated Central Institute at Chennai, whereas Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia are promoted through Centres of Excellence under the Central Institute of Indian Languages. 2. Sanskrit is promoted through three Central Universities established by an Act of Parliament rather than through a Centre of Excellence under CIIL. 3. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil and the Central Institute of Indian Languages are both located in Mysuru. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Classical Tamil is promoted through a dedicated Central Institute at Chennai, whereas Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia are promoted through Centres of Excellence under the Central Institute of Indian Languages.
2. Sanskrit is promoted through three Central Universities established by an Act of Parliament rather than through a Centre of Excellence under CIIL.
3. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil and the Central Institute of Indian Languages are both located in Mysuru.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. For the promotion of Sanskrit, how many Central Universities were established through an Act of Parliament?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Q9. With reference to the benefits available to languages notified as Classical Languages, consider the following statements: 1. Each such language is eligible for a Centre of Excellence for studies and for professional chairs in central universities. 2. The international award instituted from 2008 for lifetime achievement is open to a Non-Resident Indian or a foreigner in the field of Sanskrit. 3. These awards and chairs for Classical Languages are administered by the Ministry of Culture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Each such language is eligible for a Centre of Excellence for studies and for professional chairs in central universities.
2. The international award instituted from 2008 for lifetime achievement is open to a Non-Resident Indian or a foreigner in the field of Sanskrit.
3. These awards and chairs for Classical Languages are administered by the Ministry of Culture.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. In the context of the Government of India's framework covering the 11 Classical Languages, the term 'Classical Language' status most precisely refers to which one of the following?

• A. A status conferred by the Government of India on languages meeting criteria of high antiquity and an ancient literary heritage, entitling them to special promotional schemes
• B. The inclusion of a language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution
• C. Recognition of a language as an official language of the Union under Article 343
• D. A designation given by UNESCO to safeguard endangered heritage languages