Nagaland University Launches First-of-its-Kind MA Programme in Language and Culture to Preserve Indigenous Heritage

Kohima: Nagaland University has launched a new Master of Arts (MA) programme in Language and Culture, designed to preserve, promote, and advance the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Naga people. The interdisciplinary programme is being offered by the Centre for Naga Tribal Language Studies and will commence with its first batch of students from August 5.
The two-year, four-semester course aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises holistic and interdisciplinary learning. The programme allows students to explore linguistics, folklore, regional languages, and indigenous knowledge systems beyond the confines of traditional academic silos.
Only 20 students will be admitted in the first batch, with graduates eligible to appear for UGC-NET in Linguistics, Folk Literature, and Tribal and Regional Language—opening pathways to careers in teaching, research, consultancy, language policy, and digital archiving.
Speaking at the launch, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik said,
“It gives me immense pleasure to announce the MA in Language and Culture, which marks a historic milestone for the university. This is a timely and significant initiative aimed at preserving and promoting our indigenous heritage, while also advancing academic excellence and inclusivity.”
The course is designed to equip students with tools to address pressing issues such as language endangerment, cultural erosion, and indigenous rights. It includes practical and policy-oriented learning modules intended to prepare students for challenges in the development sector, education, and community-based initiatives.
Assistant Professor Dr. Yanbeni Yanthan, one of the programme’s architects, said,
“This course is not just academic—it is responsive to our times. It prepares students to contribute meaningfully at the grassroots level, in areas like cultural heritage conservation, language revitalisation, and policy-making. We’re also looking at poetics, performance, and practices that often remain outside the mainstream academic narrative.”
The programme is especially significant in the context of Nagaland, which is home to over 16 major tribes and numerous dialects, many of which are classified as vulnerable or endangered. With global conversations gaining momentum around indigenous knowledge and language preservation, the university’s initiative is being seen as both visionary and urgent.
The MA in Language and Culture reflects a larger shift in the region’s higher education, from textbook-bound instruction to community-driven knowledge systems. With this course, Nagaland University joins a growing list of institutions recognising the interdependence of language, identity, and sustainable development.
Established under the Nagaland University Act, 1989, the university began functioning on September 6, 1994, and is currently the only Central University in Nagaland. It operates from its main campus in Lumami (Zunheboto district), with additional campuses in Kohima (Meriema) and Medziphema (Dimapur). The university houses 43 departments across disciplines, and has 76 affiliated colleges throughout the state.
With this new academic offering, Nagaland University continues to position itself as a key institution in nurturing indigenous scholarship, cultural continuity, and future-ready education in India’s northeast.