Q. With reference to the Classical Languages of India:
1.As of today, a total of 11 Indian languages hold the status of Classical Language.
2.Pali and Prakrit, both are given the status of Classical Languages in India.
3.One of the criteria for a language to be classified as a Classical Language include its recorded history spanning a period of 1,500-2,000 years.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation: All are correct
Statement 1 is correct: As of October 2025, a total of 11 Indian languages hold the status of Classical Language.
Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India conferred the ‘Classical Language’ status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali languages on October 03, 2024
Statement 3 is correct: The criteria for a language to be classified as a Classical Language include the following:
- High antiquity of its early texts or recorded history, spanning a period of 1,500-2,000 years.
- A body of ancient literature or texts that is considered heritage by generations of speakers.
- Knowledge texts, especially prose texts, in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
- The Classical Language and its literature may be distinct from its current form or show discontinuity with later forms derived from the original.
Source: PIB
