Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani told the Lok Sabha today that Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have been asked to teach Sanskrit language for facilitating study of science and technology as reflected in its literature.

The Hindu reports that a panel, chaired by former CEC N Gopalaswami, in its report had suggested that IITs may facilitate study of science and technology as reflected in Sanskrit literature along with inter-disciplinary study of Sanskrit and modern subjects, Smriti Irani said in a written reply.

"Accordingly, IITs have been requested to teach Sanskrit language especially with reference to study of works which contain scientific knowledge," Irani said.

In July 2000, under NDA-I, the government had issued notices to around 40 institutions, including the IITs and IISC, asking them to consider introducing Sanskrit courses. Several IITs have since then integrated the knowledge available in ancient Indian texts in the mainstream engineering curriculum.