In a landmark step towards integrating India's ancient knowledge systems with emerging technologies, the Central Sanskrit University (CSU) has announced the launch of a B.Tech programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science from the 2026-27 academic session. The programme, approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), will be offered at the university's Nashik campus and is among the first engineering degrees introduced by a Sanskrit university in the country.
The initiative seeks to create a unique blend of modern AI education and India's linguistic and cultural heritage. It is designed to train students in advanced technologies while encouraging research in Sanskrit, Indian languages, and traditional knowledge systems.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the programme during his Mann Ki Baat address, stating that it would empower young learners with future-ready skills while strengthening their connection with India's rich cultural legacy.
The four-year programme will admit 66 students, including 60 regular seats and six supernumerary seats. The curriculum covers core subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Python Programming, Cloud Computing, Statistics, and Deep Learning.
Students will also gain expertise in specialised domains including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Speech Recognition, Conversational AI, Computational Linguistics, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), enabling them to develop AI-driven solutions for Indian languages and digitisation projects.
One of the programme's major objectives is to preserve India's extensive collection of ancient Sanskrit manuscripts, many of which remain untranslated or unavailable in digital formats. AI technologies will be used for document recognition, language translation, intelligent search, digital archiving, and knowledge extraction from historical texts.
The course will further explore AI applications in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotisha, Vastu, and Nyaya, opening new avenues for interdisciplinary research that combines technology with India's traditional knowledge systems.
With India's AI ecosystem expanding rapidly and demand for skilled professionals growing across industries, the university believes the programme will prepare graduates for careers in AI, data science, language technology, digital humanities, and cultural informatics, while contributing to the preservation and global dissemination of India's intellectual heritage.
