Since its inception in 1924, the college has been renowned as a hub for languages, offering a diverse range of linguistic programs. Initially, languages such as Parsi, Arabic, Sanskrit, Prakrut, and Ardhamagdhi were taught, and currently, the college offers specialization in Hindi, Marathi, and Sanskrit at the undergraduate level, and in Hindi and Marathi at the postgraduate level. These languages are also offered as general subjects at the undergraduate level. The college promotes the use of Indian languages in instruction, administration, and even in the science stream, and has implemented bilingual teaching methods in the Humanities department.
Under the newly introduced Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) pattern, all students in the Arts stream are required to select Hindi or Marathi as part of the Modern Indian Languages (MIL) course. The college also conducts short-term courses in Sanskrit Grammar, Pali Language, and Modi Script, and boasts a rich collection of 4,500 manuscripts in Sanskrit, which are made available to scholars and students. Cultural events at the college regularly feature traditional folk-art forms such as Lavani, Kirtan, Powada, and Koli dance, and all programs commence with Saraswati Vandana or Isha-Stavan and the lighting of the lamp.
The college takes pride in celebrating Ganesh Festival and Marathi Bhasha Day, and has organized a lecture series titled “Celebrating Our Tradition,” which focuses on topics related to the Indian knowledge system, including “Sanskrit, Sanskar, and Sanskruti,” “Life and Works of Dr. P. V. Kane,” and “Language and Culture.” The college has also created a YouTube series called “Yatharth,” which is devoted to Indian culture and is circulated among students.
The Sanskrit Department organizes the program “Sanskrit Gangadhara” to celebrate Sanskrit literature, and has conducted webinars on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), which have been well-received by students and faculty. A 4-credit course on IKS has been designed and conducted by the college, with the help of alumni, for all undergraduate students. National conferences on “Adivasi Discourse” and “Folk Literature and IKS” have been organized by the Department of Hindi, which have featured IKS in relation to indigenous cultures. Online Sanskrit quiz competitions are also regularly arranged.
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP), the college has made a 2-credit course on IKS mandatory for first-year students, which is conducted in offline mode. Faculty from the Sanskrit Department have contributed to drafting the IKS syllabus for the affiliating university. The college hosts plays in Marathi, Hindi, and Sanskrit during cultural programs, and celebrates various occasions such as Yog Day, Gurupoornima, Geeta Jayanti, Kalidas Din, Kusumagraj Jayanti, Youth Day, Patrakar Din, Marathi Pandharwada, Hindi Pakhawada, and other activities under the Literary Association.
The college has also established a Translation Cell, which aims to nurture translators who can translate Indian knowledge into English and other foreign languages. Plans are underway to digitize manuscripts and make them available to scholars worldwide. Since 2018-2019, the college has made conscious efforts to integrate IKS through 58 activities, (details) demonstrating its commitment to promoting Indian knowledge systems and cultural heritage.