12 August 2025: PIB Summary For UPSC
1. Centres of Excellence for minority literary heritage
Source – Press Information Bureau (PIB) – Ministry of Jal Shakti (12 August 2025)
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Topic: GS Paper 1 (Indian Society & Cultural Heritage) and GS-2 (Governance & Polity) |
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Context |
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Content:
Overview
The Ministry has approved five Centres of Excellence for minority literary heritage under PMJVK, each hosted by a leading university and focused on different minority traditions.
Institutions & Objectives
| University & Center | Minority Community | Objective |
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| University of Mumbai – Centre of Excellence in Minority Heritage Languages and Cultural Studies | Parsi & Buddhist | Research in Avesta-Pahlavi, Pali, Prakrit; preservation of heritage languages |
| University of Delhi – Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies | Buddhist | Advanced academic research, Bharat-centric perspectives, interdisciplinary collaboration |
| Khalsa College, University of Delhi – Centre for Gurmukhi Script | Sikh | Preserve and teach Gurmukhi via digital tools and community engagement |
| Gujarat University – Centre for Jain Manuscriptology | Jain | Digitization, conservation, cataloguing of Jain manuscripts; training & infrastructure development |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore – Centre for Jain Studies | Jain | Promote Jain heritage through academic programmes, research, and global collaboration |
Workshop & Strategic Focus
A national workshop on Jain Manuscriptology was held on July 19, 2025, at Gujarat University. Scholars, researchers, and community leaders engaged in discussions on:
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Preservation techniques and the research potential of Jain manuscripts
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Integrating ancient wisdom into modern academic and cultural narratives
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Community involvement in conservation efforts.
Significance for UPSC
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Illustrates India’s policy focus on cultural pluralism and heritage preservation.
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Highlights PMJVK as a targeted programme for inclusive development of minority communities.
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Demonstrates interplay between culture, technology (digitisation), and education policy.
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Reflects the importance of academic partnerships with communities in heritage conservation.
Way Forward
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Ensure long-term funding and sustainable operation of the Centres.
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Develop digital repositories accessible to scholars nationwide.
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Encourage interdisciplinary research and public outreach.
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Foster international collaborations to amplify research and preservation efforts.
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Practice Question: “Critically examine how the establishment of Centres of Excellence for minority literary heritage under PMJVK can contribute to cultural preservation and social inclusion in India. What challenges might impede their effectiveness, and how can these be addressed?” |
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