The Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) have launched the ambitious ‘ASMITA’ project, which aims to improve educational accessibility and inclusion. The effort, titled ‘Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages via Translation and Academic Writing,’ seeks to publish 22,000 books in Indian languages over the next five years.

The inauguration event, which was attended by Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, highlighted ASMITA’s critical role in integrating Indian languages more fully into the educational fabric. This collaboration between the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti seeks to improve the learning experience by offering high-quality study materials in 22 scheduled languages. 

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the initiative as transformative, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) to create a comprehensive repository of academic resources. He emphasized ASMITA’s role in bridging linguistic divides, fostering social cohesion, and empowering learners to become globally aware citizens.

UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar described the project’s strategy framework, which includes developing a healthy ecosystem for translation and original writing across several fields in higher education. Under ASMITA, 1,000 books will be written in each of the 22 languages, covering topics vital to academic growth. 

Thirteen nodal institutions have been appointed to lead this programme, with backing from member universities around the country. The UGC has developed a comprehensive standard operating process (SOP) for book development, which covers all steps from composition and editing to publication while assuring academic rigour and quality. 

In addition to ASMITA, the ministry has produced ‘Bahubhasha Shabdakosh,’ a comprehensive linguistic reference tool created in partnership with the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti. This programme intends to standardise and modernise Indian language vocabulary in a variety of fields, including information technology, industry, research, and education. 

The ASMITA initiative and Bahubhasha Shabdakosh represent important advances in promoting linguistic variety, safeguarding cultural legacy, and encouraging children across India to thrive academically. As these efforts take root, they are projected to transform educational accessibility and quality in Indian languages for future generations.