The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced the launch of the second edition of its ambitious VAANI scheme (Vibrant Advocacy for Advancement and Nurturing of Indian Languages), marking a significant leap toward promoting Indian languages in technical education. This latest edition launched on March 19, 2025, aims to bridge the linguistic gap in technical education by allocating a substantial Rs 4 crore for organizing 200 conferences across 22 regional languages in India.
With the growing emphasis on 'Viksit Bharat', AICTE’s move to enhance regional language inclusion is seen as a strategic step toward democratizing access to technical knowledge and fostering grassroots-level innovation.
A Journey from 12 to 22 Languages
The first edition of the VAANI scheme, launched on March 11, 2024, focused on promoting technical knowledge in 12 regional languages. However, due to overwhelming success and growing demand, the scheme’s scope has now expanded to cover 22 languages, including:
- Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Punjabi, Assamese, Malayalam, Odia, Urdu, Gujarati, Sindhi, and more.
This expansion empowers a broader section of the academic community, enabling students and researchers from diverse linguistic backgrounds to engage with cutting-edge technologies in their native languages.
Features of VAANI 2.0
Increased Funding Allocation
AICTE has doubled its funding from Rs 2 crore in the first edition to Rs 4 crore in the second edition. Each selected conference will receive up to Rs 2 lakh to facilitate smooth organization and execution.
Wider Focus on Emerging Technologies
The number of technical fields covered under VAANI has increased from 12 to 16, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Data Science
- Blockchain Technology
- Healthcare Technologies
- Environmental Engineering
- Robotics & Automation
- Cybersecurity
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Renewable Energy, and more.
Greater Collaboration Between Academia and Industry
AICTE aims to strengthen partnerships between academic institutions and industries, ensuring that technological advancements are not limited to English-medium platforms. The scheme encourages publishing research papers in regional languages, making knowledge accessible and inclusive.
AICTE's Vision
AICTE Chairperson Prof. TG Sitharam emphasized the importance of ensuring that technological advancements reach local communities in a language they understand. He remarked:
VAANI 2.0 is not just about language promotion but about empowering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers by making technical knowledge accessible in their mother tongue.
AICTE Vice Chairman Dr Abhay Jere highlighted the significance of critical thinking and problem-solving in technical education, irrespective of language, and stressed the need for nurturing a multilingual knowledge ecosystem.
Impact of VAANI 2.0
AICTE’s decision to broaden the VAANI scheme’s horizon is poised to create a transformative impact on India’s educational and technological landscape. The scheme is expected to:
- Enhance Accessibility: Make high-quality technical knowledge available in regional languages, empowering students from non-English backgrounds.
- Promote Cultural Diversity: Encourage the integration of India’s rich linguistic heritage into technical education.
- Strengthen Grassroots Participation: Facilitate inclusive growth by engaging rural and semi-urban talent in technological advancements.
- Boost Innovation and Critical Thinking: Create a vibrant ecosystem where regional language learners can engage with emerging technologies.
One of the standout objectives of VAANI 2.0 is to create a comprehensive digital repository of conferences, research papers, and seminar proceedings. This knowledge base will serve as a valuable resource for future research and innovation in regional languages.
VAANI 1.0 vs. VAANI 2.0
| Feature | First Edition (2024) | Second Edition (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Languages | 12 | 22 |
| Emerging Fields | 12 | 16 |
| Funding Allocation | Rs 2 crore | Rs 4 crore |
| Conferences Supported | 100 | 200 |
AICTE’s renewed focus on regional language inclusivity in technical education through VAANI 2.0 is a groundbreaking step toward shaping an equitable and accessible knowledge economy. By fostering a multilingual research ecosystem and encouraging students and faculty to engage in technical discourse in their native languages, AICTE is laying the foundation for an innovative and culturally vibrant future.
As India advances toward becoming a global knowledge hub, the integration of regional languages into technical education will ensure that the country’s diverse voices contribute meaningfully to the world of technology.
'VAANI 2.0 isn’t just about language—it’s about giving a voice to millions of aspiring innovators.'
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