India's first AICTE-approved BTech in AI to focus on Indian Knowledge Systems

Central Sanskrit University has launched an AICTE-approved BTech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at its Nashik campus. The course aims to build language technology skills while supporting the digitisation of India's manuscripts and knowledge heritage.

In Short

• Prime Minister Modi said the course links future skills with cultural roots
• The AICTE-approved programme will start at the Nashik campus in 2026-27
• Admissions have opened for a rare engineering course at a Sanskrit university

Artificial Intelligence is now finding a place alongside one of the world's oldest languages. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Central Sanskrit University has launched a BTech programme in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, marking a new step in combining modern technology with India's traditional knowledge systems. The programme aims to prepare students for emerging technologies while encouraging research rooted in India's linguistic and cultural heritage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the initiative during his Mann Ki Baat address, saying it reflects the effort to equip young people with future-ready skills while keeping them connected to their roots.

He said the programme would help develop AI tools for Indian languages and speed up the digitisation and preservation of India's ancient texts and manuscripts.

The AICTE-approved programme will be offered from the university's Nashik campus for the 2026–27 academic session. Admissions have already begun, making it one of the first engineering programmes of its kind to be introduced by a Sanskrit university.

WHY IT MATTERS

India is rapidly expanding its AI ecosystem while also investing in the digitisation of its vast collection of manuscripts. Millions of Sanskrit texts remain untranslated or undigitised, limiting access for researchers and scholars.

AI-based tools can assist in document recognition, translation, language processing, knowledge retrieval and digital archiving, making ancient literature more accessible to future generations.

• Central Sanskrit University will launch its first B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science from the 2026–27 academic session.
• It is the first AICTE-approved engineering programme offered by a Sanskrit university in India.
• The programme has 66 seats - 60 regular and 6 supernumerary.
• Marks the entry of a Sanskrit university into engineering education, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Combines engineering education with India's linguistic and knowledge traditions.
• Core subjects include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Python, Cloud Computing, Statistics and Deep Learning.
• Students will also study Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computational Linguistics, Speech Recognition, Conversational AI, Knowledge Representation and OCR for ancient manuscripts.
• Aims to develop AI tools for Sanskrit and Indian languages and strengthen language technologies.
• Focus on digitising and preserving ancient manuscripts and classical texts using AI.
• Encourages interdisciplinary research linking AI with Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
• Students will apply AI and computational techniques to Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotisha, Vastu, Nyaya and other traditional disciplines.

A GROWING FOCUS ON AI

The launch comes as India continues to strengthen its AI ecosystem through investments in research, digital public infrastructure and language technologies.

With increasing demand for AI professionals across industries, the programme offers students an opportunity to pursue a technology-focused engineering degree while contributing to the preservation and digitisation of India's cultural and linguistic heritage.

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