AI SummaryBharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is a central government education scheme that provides digital textbooks and study material in 22 Indian languages for school and higher education students. It was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2025-26 and is now being implemented across the country.
The scheme is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and is being run by the Ministry of Education along with the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, AICTE and NCERT. Its main aim is to let students study in their own language instead of being forced to learn only in English.
What is the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme?
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is a large education project that makes digital textbooks and learning material available in 22 scheduled Indian languages. It covers both school and higher education, so students from class level up to undergraduate and postgraduate courses can get books in their mother tongue. The scheme does not start any new courses. Instead, it provides books for all the existing courses in different languages.
The scheme follows a demand-driven model. Textbooks are first prepared in the official language of the state where the college or university is located, and students from other language backgrounds are also covered. Both translation of well-known books and original writing by local authors in Indian languages are supported.
Latest Update on the Scheme (2026)
The scheme has moved well beyond the planning stage and is now being implemented. Under the UGC's ASMITA initiative, more than 1,089 authors have been identified through 23 nodal universities to write and translate textbooks in 22 Indian languages for undergraduate courses. As of April 2025, over 750 books were in different stages of development, with 188 titles ready for publication.
AICTE has also joined the effort through its Technical Book Writing Scheme, which has helped translate nearly 447 books into 12 scheduled Indian languages. Engineering books in Indian languages are being made available in digital form through the e-Kumbh platform. The scheme is a mega project that started this year and is expected to be fully implemented by 2028.
Key Highlights of Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme
Here are the main points of the scheme that students and parents should know.
- Digital Access to Learning: Textbooks and study material are translated and made available online, so students across India can access them easily. This digital change matches the needs of today's learners.
- Inclusivity and Equal Opportunity: By providing content in regional languages, the scheme helps students from different language backgrounds understand their subjects better and encourages the use of Indian languages as a medium of study.
- Integration of Language and Technology: The scheme combines traditional Indian knowledge with digital learning, helping to preserve cultural heritage while using modern technology in education.
- Improving Quality and Reach: Students and teachers get high-quality content in regional languages, which makes good education more reachable for students in remote areas where regional languages are common.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme |
| Launched Under | Union Budget 2025-26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman |
| Primary Objective | To provide digital textbooks and learning material in 22 Indian languages |
| Part of | National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 |
| Target Beneficiaries | Students from school to higher education |
| Managing Bodies | UGC, Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, AICTE and NCERT |
| Books in Progress | Over 750 books, with 188 ready for publication |
| Authors Engaged | More than 1,089 authors through 23 nodal universities |
| Digital Content Availability | Learning resources available online in multiple regional languages |
| Full Implementation | Expected by 2028 |
| Impact on Education | Removes language barriers, allowing students to learn in their mother tongues |
How the Scheme is Being Implemented
The Ministry of Education is working with UGC and AICTE to make content available in Indian languages. Along with the textbooks under this scheme, students can also use the National Digital Library of India, which supports content in 39 Indian languages and gives free access to textbooks, research papers and journals. The SWAYAM platform also hosts more than 370 courses translated into languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and others.
The Education Ministry has held high-level meetings to review the rollout and gather feedback from universities, states and other stakeholders. The scheme follows a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, bringing together academia, industry and civil society to support multilingual learning in higher education.
Impact on Education
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is expected to have a big effect on the education system of India. By offering digital books in Indian languages, it improves the learning experience and makes education more inclusive, so students can study in their mother tongue. This matters a lot in a country as linguistically diverse as India, where language can be a major barrier to education.
Government's Commitment to Education
This scheme is part of a wider effort by the government to improve the quality and reach of education. It works alongside other programs like Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI schools, which focus on complete education in line with the NEP 2020 vision. The rollout of this scheme shows a clear move toward language inclusivity and digital learning.
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme is a major step toward making education more open and equal in India. By providing digital textbooks in 22 Indian languages, it helps students learn in their own language and builds a stronger connection with education. As the scheme grows, it promises to create a more inclusive learning environment where language diversity is used as a tool for progress. For students, teachers and policymakers, this scheme is a sign of hope that education in India is becoming more accessible, inclusive and forward-looking.