Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI), in partnership with the Republic of Korea Government, is set to unveil India's first standalone Korean Education Department. The department is set to open between April and May 2025 and is set to organize and consolidate India's burgeoning landscape of Korean language learning.

The department will start its activity by conducting the 101st TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Exam on July 13, 2025, jointly. From October 19, 2025, when the 102nd TOPIK Exam is scheduled to be conducted, it will be responsible exclusively for all the Korean language study-related activities in India.

The initiative takes place against the backdrop of sudden enthusiasm for all things Korean like K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine that has created rising interest in the study of Korean languages in India. With eyes on the demand for proper structure and infrastructure, KCCI with government support is undertaking official efforts to create a robust foundation for the study of the Korean language across India.

Seat availability for TOPIK exams has already seen a strong surge. Delhi has seen an almost 90% rise in seats compared to the 96th TOPIK exam conducted in 2024, while Bengaluru has recorded a 50% surge. This rise is a testimony to the authorities' effort to meet the rising enthusiasm of Indian learners.

Up to now, Korean language studies in India have been managed on a decentralized basis with much cooperation required among various institutions without proper coordination. The establishment of the Korean Education Department aims to address this inefficiency by consolidating under one umbrella curriculum planning, teacher training, examination management, and outreach programs.

The new department not only will ensure that Korean language is being taught on uniform lines across the country but also offer institutional support to institutions of higher learning and schools interested in including Korean as part of their curriculum. The new department will also develop training materials, organize workshops for instructors, and establish formalization of Korean studies as a recognized field in Indian academe.

This development is a significant milestone at a time when Korean studies are moving from niche interest to mainstream academic aspiration. Top universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University and the University of Delhi already offer Korean courses, and the enrollments continue to increase.

“The passion of Indian people for Korean culture and language has made this possible”, says a KCCI official. “With the new department, we’re not just improving exam logistics we’re investing in the future of cultural diplomacy and education”.