FM Announces Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme to Offer Digital Books in Indian Languages

In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, a new initiative aimed at making learning more accessible by offering digital textbooks and study materials in various Indian languages. This move is part of the government’s broader effort to integrate technology into education while promoting linguistic diversity across the nation.

Under the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, students in schools and universities will be able to access textbooks and learning resources in digital formats. The scheme is designed to benefit students from different linguistic backgrounds by providing study materials in regional languages. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in educational resources for students from diverse linguistic groups.

This initiative also complements the government’s previous steps to enhance educational infrastructure, such as the ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing) initiative. Launched in July 2024 by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC), ASMITA focuses on developing 22,000 books in 22 Indian languages over the next five years.

This joint effort between the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, a committee under the Ministry of Education, is set to translate academic content and encourage original academic writing in Indian languages.

The expansion of digital educational resources in multiple Indian languages is expected to strengthen language-based education and provide millions of students with the opportunity to study in their regional languages.