Promotion of Hindi Language Students are free to study in languages of their choice, and the Universities have academic autonomy to teach languages in accordance with the decision of their statutory councils. The language of teaching for various subjects taught in the Universities lies within the domain of respective universities. There is no evidence that the inclination towards Hindi language among students taking education in Universities is decreasing. The University Grants Commission has implemented programmes to promote and encourage teaching in medium of Hindi, including Establishment/Upgradation of Hindi Departments in those Central/State/Deemed Universities which are receiving University Grants Commissions (UGC) assistance. Besides, the UGC has approved and sanctioned setting up of Hindi Cells in Central Universities. 39 Central Universities have established Hindi Cells. The Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS) under Ministry of HRD runs a number of academic and promotional activities specifically prepared for the students, trainees and teachers of Non-Hindi States of India and abroad. Under its international Hindi Teaching Program, KHS invites foreign students to learn Hindi in India. It has also developed courseware for Hindi teaching in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Almost every year, KHS teachers are deputed in various countries for teaching and promotion of Hindi. Every year, KHS also announces Awards for Hindi Scholars from all over India who have worked in different categories for promotion, propagation and development of Hindi at national and international level. This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
