Multilingual Inclusion in India and Role of Technology

India is taking major steps toward digital multilingual inclusion by using advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Machine Learning (ML).

Flagship platforms like Bhashini, BharatGen, and Adi-Vaani are driving efforts to preserve, digitize, and promote the use of 22 Scheduled Languages and hundreds of tribal and regional dialects across governance, education, and communication.

How India is Integrating Technology with Language Preservation and Digital Inclusion

1. Bhashini

Implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM).
Provides AI-driven real-time translation, speech recognition, and language understanding services.
Supports 22 Scheduled Languages and several tribal languages for multilingual governance and education.

2. Sanchika

Managed by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).
Serves as a digital archive containing dictionaries, primers, storybooks, and audiovisual content in Indian languages.

3. BharatGen

A multilingual AI model suite developed under MeitY.
Creates Text-to-Text (T2T) and Text-to-Speech (TTS) systems.
Uses datasets from SPPEL (Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages) and Sanchika Repository.

4. Adi-Vaani

Launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
India’s first AI-driven platform for tribal language preservation and real-time translation.
Supports languages like Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi through NLP and speech recognition.

5. GeMAI (Government e-Marketplace AI Assistant)

Developed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as part of GeM.
Provides voice and text-based support in multiple Indian languages.
Helps small vendors and local entrepreneurs transact in their native languages.

6. Anuvadini

Created by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
Uses AI-based translation to convert engineering, law, and medical textbooks into Indian languages.
Supports the NEP 2020 vision of learning in one’s mother tongue.

7. e-KUMBH (Knowledge Unleashed in Multiple Bharatiya Languages)

Hosted by AICTE, offering free access to technical and higher education books in Indian languages.

8. SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds)

A MOOC platform by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Provides multilingual online courses to over 5 crore learners, enhancing inclusivity in digital higher education.

National and Institutional Initiatives for Language Preservation

SPPEL (Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages)

Launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and implemented by CIIL, Mysuru.
Documents and digitally archives languages spoken by fewer than 10,000 people.
Creates text, audio, and video corpora for AI and NLP-based research.

TRI-ECE Scheme

Implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
Promotes AI-based translation of English and Hindi text into tribal languages and vice versa.
Collaborates with Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) to ensure cultural sensitivity.

NTM (National Translation Mission)

A flagship program of the Ministry of Education.
Translates academic and knowledge texts into Indian languages to democratize learning and research access.

NMM (National Mission on Manuscripts)

Run by the Ministry of Culture (MoC).
Works on preservation, digitization, and dissemination of ancient manuscripts in Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and regional languages.

Broader Impact of Technology-Led Multilingual Platforms

1. Governance and Public Services

Platforms like Bhashini and GeMAI enhance citizen access to government portals in regional languages — improving transparency, trust, and participation, especially in rural and non-Hindi regions.

2. Education and Skill Development

Tools such as Anuvadini, e-KUMBH, and SWAYAM make education accessible and affordable by providing textbooks and courses in regional languages — supporting NEP 2020 goals.

3. Cultural and Linguistic Preservation

Initiatives like SPPEL, Sanchika, and Adi-Vaani safeguard endangered and tribal languages, preserving oral traditions, folklore, and community knowledge systems.

4. Economic and Social Inclusion

Language-inclusive platforms empower local entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses to use digital tools in their native languages — promoting inclusive growth in the digital economy.

5. Research and Innovation

The multilingual datasets from these initiatives fuel AI research and encourage the development of indigenous language technologies.

Conclusion

India’s multilingual inclusion efforts reflect a strong synergy between technology and culture.
Platforms like Bhashini, BharatGen, and Adi-Vaani not only safeguard India’s linguistic diversity but also strengthen digital inclusivity, education equity, and AI innovation — setting a global example in tech-driven language preservation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Bhashini?
Bhashini is an AI-based multilingual translation platform under the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM) by MeitY.

2. Which platform focuses on AI-based preservation of tribal languages?
Adi-Vaani, launched by MoTA, is India’s first AI-driven tribal language preservation and translation platform.

3. What is the role of BharatGen?
BharatGen develops Text-to-Text and Text-to-Speech AI models for Indian languages, improving accessibility across sectors.

4. How do Anuvadini and e-KUMBH support NEP 2020?
They provide multilingual access to educational materials and textbooks, aligning with NEP 2020’s mother-tongue learning vision.

📚 Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

UPSC Civil Services Examination – Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. Consider the following statements (2021):

21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
The demand that Bangla be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only ✅
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q. Consider the following languages (2014):
1. Gujarati, 2. Kannada, 3. Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Languages’?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only ✅
(d) 1, 2 and 3