UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on Mission Mausam and classical language (Week 72)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress.

What are the criteria for a language’s designation as a “classical language”? Discuss the significance of India’s recent designation of five languages as classical languages.

Critically analyse the objectives and significance of Mission Mausam in the context of India’s maritime heritage and climate change.

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: What are the criteria for a language’s designation as a “classical language”? Discuss the significance of India’s recent designation of five languages as classical languages.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The Union Cabinet extended the “classical language” tag to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Earlier there were only six classical languages, Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.

— On July 25, 2024, the Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC) unanimously revised the criteria for classical status. The criteria now include:

(i) High antiquity of early texts, and recorded history over a period of 1500- 2000 years;

(ii) A body of ancient literature/ texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers;

(iii) Epigraphic and inscriptional evidence;

(iv) Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry; and

(v) The classical languages and literature could be distinct from their current form or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Significance of Classical Languages

— The designation of “Classical language” for languages not only raises their standing, but also helps efforts to promote, preserve, and further research these languages, assuring their continuous relevance in the modern world.

— The Ministry of Education works to promote classical languages. Three Central Universities were founded in 2020 to promote Sanskrit. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil was founded in 2008 to promote the translation of ancient Tamil writings as well as to provide Tamil language education. Similar centres of excellence have been established for the study of Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.

— The National Education Policy also advocates for the incorporation of classical languages into classroom education.

— The Ministry of Culture (through the various academies), the Ministry of Education, and respective state governments, will come together for greater knowledge-sharing and research in these languages.

— The tasks of preservation, documentation, and digitisation of ancient texts of these languages will likely generate jobs in archiving, translation, publishing, and digital media.

Conclusion:

— Classical languages are regarded as the guardians of India’s ancient and rich cultural legacy. They preserve their societies’ rich histories, literature, and traditions.

— The government accords this status to languages in order to recognise and protect the linguistic milestones of India’s unique cultural environment.

(Source: Which are India’s 5 new ‘classical languages’, what does the tag mean? by Divya A and Arjun Sengupta, Knowledge Nugget of the day: Classical languages by Roshni Yadav)

Points to Ponder

Read about Pali and Prakrit

Which language is the oldest classical language?

Which organisation/body declares language as a classical language?