Introduction:

Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language belongs to the Indo-Aryan family which descends from the Indo-European languages. Considered to be a very structured language, Sanskrit is not just the language of ancient scriptures in India but is also a liturgical language as there are many Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious texts written in this language. Whether you are learning the language for professional reasons or would just like to understand the many ancient texts in their original version, joining a recognized course can be helpful.

Many universities are offering certificate, diploma, and PG Diploma courses in Sanskrit the duration for which is six months to one year. Some of the programs are given here.

1.     Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) – Certificate in Sanskrit
2.     Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bengaluru – PG diploma and Certificate in Sanskrit
3.     Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi – Diploma in Sanskrit
4.     Shri Jagannadh Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya – Diploma in Sanskrit
5.     Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Gujarat – Diploma and PG Diploma in Sanskrit
6.     Shree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Ernakulam – PG Diploma, Diploma and Certificate course in Sanskrit
7.     Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi – Diploma and PG diploma in Sanskrit
8.     Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati – Diploma in Sanskrit
9.     Maharshi Panini Sanskrit Evam Vedic University, Ujjain – Diploma in Sanskrit
10. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic Vishwavidyalaya – Diploma and Certificate in Sanskrit

 These are some of the universities that offer short-term courses in Sanskrit.  The duration of a certification program is six months and a Diploma or PG Diploma is usually one year to one and a half years. Certification programs are a good choice for anyone who is looking to get a proper start and learn the basics of the Sanskrit language.

These and many other universities and colleges in India offer regular and correspondence undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Sanskrit as well. The duration for which is three years and two years respectively.  

Usually, for a certificate program, there is no prerequisite except the ability to read and write in Devanagari script which is the script for Sanskrit.

With a certificate in Sanskrit, you can further pursue a diploma or PG diploma course in Sanskrit.

When it comes to Undergraduate or Postgraduate programs there are specific eligibility criteria that can be obtained for the respective university website.

Apart from these universities, Sanskrit Bharati a non-profit organization also offers correspondence courses namely Pravesha, Parichaya, Shiksha, and Kovida which are for a duration of six months each. Individuals above 16 years can join these courses and learn from the comfort of their home.

SWAYAM, a program initiated by the Government of India also offers a short-term Sanskrit course that can be joined for free. If you want a certificate, you need to pay a fee and appear for an examination at designated centers assigned by them.

There are many online courses also available these days. You may choose to join any of these online courses depending on your convenience to supplement your certification course and improve your understanding of the language.   

A recognized short-term certification course in Sanskrit can just be a beginning towards learning and understanding this beautiful language or pursuing higher studies which can help you find a rewarding career in the future.