India To Include Persian As One Of 9 Classical Languages

Classical Languages:

Six classical languages in India.

• Tamil first accorded in 2004, Odia last in 2014.

Criteria for Classical Language:

Criteria by the Ministry of Culture under the Eighth Schedule.

• Includes historical texts, high antiquity, and heritage literature.

Tamil:

First classical language (2004).

Sanskrit:

2005.

Kannada:

2008.

Telugu:

2008.

Malayalam:

2013.

Odia:

Achieved classical status in 2014.