The Central government has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Marathi Language at the historic Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute in Pune, following the grant of Classical Language status to Marathi. The approval, announced on Friday, will pave the way for dedicated research infrastructure and Central support for the study, preservation and promotion of Marathi’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

The decision was welcomed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister for Marathi Language Uday Samant. Fadnavis said the state government had already initiated work on a Detailed Project Report for the proposed centre. With the Central approval now in place, the state can formally submit the DPR and seek the required funding for the project.

Fadnavis said the approval came on the eve of Classical Marathi Language Day and described the decision as a matter of pride for people in Maharashtra and Marathi speakers across the world. Samant termed the centre a significant step towards preserving Marathi language, literature, history and culture. He said the expert-prepared DPR would support research and preservation initiatives with Central assistance.

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The proposed centre will be housed at Deccan College in Pune, one of India’s oldest heritage institutions and an institution known for its work in linguistics and archaeology. According to the government release, the centre is expected to undertake research in areas including historical linguistics, digitisation of ancient texts, literary preservation and cultural studies.

The initiative also provides for the creation of professorial chairs for Marathi studies in major Central universities. The Centre of Excellence is part of efforts to strengthen academic research around Marathi’s classical status and create institutional support for the preservation of its literary and linguistic heritage. Marathi was granted Classical Language status on October 3, 2024, and the latest approval was made by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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