UGC asks all colleges to introduce three Indian languages under new BBS push

Unlike previous language offerings, UGC wants the courses arranged in three tiers- basic, intermediate and advanced, with room for flexible entry and exit.

University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities and colleges to roll out Learn One More Bharatiya Bhasha initiative for expanding multilingual learning on campuses.

In its directive, Commission said colleges and universities should ensure that students have the option to study at least three Indian languages. This would typically include their regional or mother tongue, along with two other languages from the list of 22 recognised under the Constitution. Institutions have been told to offer these as credit, ability-enhancement or audit courses.

Unlike previous language offerings, UGC wants the courses arranged in three tiers- basic, intermediate and advanced, with room for flexible entry and exit. The framework also suggests setting clear proficiency outcomes. Colleges have been asked to open these classes to faculty and local communities and to issue micro-credentials through the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) for those who complete them.

The Commission has stated that the plan can strengthen cross-cultural exposure and improve academic mobility, especially for students moving across states. However, the announcement has already drawn mixed reactions, particularly from states that follow a two-language model.

Administrators say the new requirement will demand additional teaching staff and fresh course material, and some caution that rolling it out smoothly may take time.