Prof Irteza Karim

Distinguished Professor,

About

Prof. Irteza Karim (born October 27, 1959) is a prominent Urdu scholar, writer, and academic who most notably served as the Director of the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL).
Academic & Professional Roles
University of Delhi: He is a Professor and former Head of the Department of Urdu and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Delhi.
NCPUL Director: Appointed in June 2015, he led the autonomous body under the Ministry of Education to expand Urdu learning centers across India.
Organizational Leadership: He holds high-ranking positions in several literary bodies, including General Secretary of the All-India University Urdu Teachers Association and the Young Writers Association (Qalamzaad).
Literary Contributions
A prolific author and editor, his work focus on literary criticism and the preservation of Urdu heritage. Significant works include:
Kulliyat-E-Khwaja Ahmad Abbas: A multi-volume compilation of the works of the famed filmmaker and journalist.
Intizar Husain Ek Dabistan: A comprehensive two-volume set on the legendary Urdu writer.
Samji Wa Siyasi Suratehal aur Urdu Sahafat: A doctoral thesis analyzing the evolution of Urdu journalism from 1960 to 2000.
Kewal Dheer Kahaniyaan: A critical study of the stories by Kewal Dheer.
Research & Advocacy
Prof. Karim is a vocal advocate for modernizing Urdu education, suggesting that the language's growth depends on targeting "non-Urdu" speakers and adopting new pedagogical directions rather than relying solely on past methods. He also serves as the Chief Patron for literary journals like Tareekh-e-Adab-e-Urdu.