IIT-I Advocates for Hindi as the Working Language in Science and Technology Education
Indore: The Indian Institute of Technology, Indore (IIT-I) is taking significant steps to promote Hindi as a functional language for scientific and technological education. As English continues to dominate higher education and research in India, IIT-I believes that adopting Hindi can enhance comprehension and broaden access to knowledge.
Introduction to the Initiative
The initiative is being propelled through the Abhyuday-3 seminar, a two-day National Technical Hindi Seminar that commenced on January 5, 2026. This seminar is a collaborative effort between IIT Indore, IIT Jodhpur, and the CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research. The primary focus of the seminar is to promote and strengthen the use of technical Hindi in higher education, research, science, and technology.
Implementation at IIT Indore
At IIT Indore, several measures have been implemented to integrate Hindi into the academic framework:
- Select first-year lectures are being delivered in Hindi.
- Research abstracts are compiled following official language standards.
- Classroom discussions increasingly encourage the use of Hindi to explain scientific concepts.
Statements from IIT-I Leadership
IIT-I Director Suhas Joshi emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The initiative represents a strong step towards realizing the national vision of connecting knowledge and science with the vernacular language. Strengthening technical Hindi would ensure wider dissemination of knowledge and reinforce India’s linguistic diversity.”
Benefits of Promoting Hindi in Technical Education
The emphasis on Hindi in technical education aims to address several key issues:
- Removing Linguistic Barriers: The initiative seeks to eliminate the linguistic hurdles that many students face, particularly those from Hindi-medium backgrounds.
- Improving Conceptual Clarity: By using Hindi, students may find it easier to grasp complex scientific and technical concepts.
- Wider Access to Knowledge: Promoting Hindi can help broaden access to scientific knowledge, making it more inclusive for a larger segment of the population.
Outcomes of Abhyuday-3
One of the significant outcomes of the Abhyuday-3 seminar was the release of “Smarika,” a compilation of 26 peer-reviewed research papers written in Hindi. These papers were presented during two technical sessions focusing on:
- Science and Engineering
- Digital Technology and Innovation
Conclusion
The efforts by IIT Indore to promote Hindi as a working language in science and technology education mark a pivotal moment in India’s educational landscape. By embracing Hindi, IIT-I is not only fostering inclusivity but also enhancing the quality of education for students who may struggle with English. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of making education more accessible and comprehensible for all.
Note: The promotion of Hindi in technical education is part of a larger movement to recognize and celebrate linguistic diversity in India, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.
