Which is the first language to be conferred the status of classical language in India?

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

Tamil was the first language in India to be granted the status of a classical language.
This official recognition was conferred by the Government of India in the year 2004.
It fulfilled all the necessary criteria, including a long-recorded history and an original literary tradition that is distinct from its modern form.

Option A: Kannada was not the first language to be conferred classical status.
Option B: Odia was the most recent language to be added to the list of classical languages.
Option C: Sanskrit was the second language to be conferred classical status, not the first.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classical Languages of India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
General knowledge, including cultural and historical facts about India, is a component of many competitive examinations, including those for nursing recruitment.
Awareness of India's linguistic heritage demonstrates a well-rounded educational background, which is beneficial for all professionals.
What if the question asked which of these languages was the last to be declared classical? In that case, the correct answer would be Odia (2014).

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from the General Knowledge section.
First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'first language to be conferred the status of classical language'.
Next, evaluate the given options: Kannada, Odia, Sanskrit, and Tamil.
Access your knowledge about Indian history and culture. Recall the order in which languages were given this status.
Even if you don't know all the dates, the fact that Tamil was the first is a commonly known piece of information. Sanskrit followed soon after, with the others being more recent additions.
Select Tamil as the correct answer based on its declaration in 2004.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QA9Z-1UpqmS5fIP0S0DjT8

Practise the full NVS- 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.