The Certificate in Communicative Sanskrit (SSB - Saral Sanskrit Bodh) is a 6-month distance learning programme offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) through its School of Humanities. The programme is designed to enable learners to speak and communicate in Sanskrit language, making it accessible and practical rather than purely academic. It covers four courses: Pratham Bodh (First Level), Dwitiya Bodh (Second Level), Sambhashanam (Conversation), and Bhasha Prayogik Parikshan (Language Practical Test). The total programme fee is Rs. 1,800, making it one of the most affordable language certificate programmes available. The programme is offered in Hindi medium through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode in both January and July admission cycles. It is ideal for Sanskrit enthusiasts, students of Indian culture and philosophy, teachers, and anyone who wishes to learn to converse in Sanskrit.
As of March 2026, the January 2026 admission cycle is currently ongoing. The last date for fresh admissions for the January 2026 session has been extended to March 30, 2026. Students can apply online at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The next admission cycle (July 2026) is expected to open in May 2026, with a tentative last date in August 2026.
Distance Mode Centres:
The SSB programme is offered through IGNOU's ODL mode and is available at a wide network of Study Centres across India. Key Regional Centres offering this programme include Hyderabad, Karnal, Shimla, Jammu (including Central Sanskrit University Shri Ranbir Campus), Bangalore, Cochin, Bhopal, Pune, Imphal, Shillong, Aizwal, Port Blair, Kohima, Bhubaneshwar (including Central Sanskrit University Shree Sadashiva Campus), Khanna, Jaipur (including Central Sanskrit University Jaipur Campus), Gangtok, Chennai, Agartala, Lucknow, Kolkata, Delhi, Itanagar, Srinagar, Dehradun, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Raipur, Nagpur, Jorhat, Noida, Guwahati, Trivandrum, Jabalpur, Rajkot, Koraput, Siliguri, Darbhanga, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mumbai, Patna, Raghunathganj, Chandigarh, Panaji, Bhagalpur, Vatakara, Visakhapatnam, Bijapur, Saharsa, Deoghar, Jodhpur, and Ahmedabad.
Key Points
- The programme focuses on communicative and conversational Sanskrit rather than complex grammar rules, making it accessible to beginners.
- The medium of instruction is Hindi, making it particularly suitable for Hindi-speaking learners.
- The programme includes a practical language test (Bhasha Prayogik Parikshan) as part of the assessment.
- Students can complete the programme in a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 2 years.
- An online version of this programme (SSBOL) is also available through IGNOU's online platform for those who prefer fully digital learning.
- The programme is available at Central Sanskrit University campuses across India, providing access to specialised Sanskrit faculty.
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