NEW DELHI: The Union ministry of education informed Parliament on Wednesday that it does not plan to “impose” any language on any state under the three-language formula of the National Education Policy (NEP).
“No language to be imposed on any state under the three-language formula, languages learned by children to be choices of states and students,” the education ministry said in the Rajya Sabha.
This statement follows an ongoing disagreement between the Union government and the Tamil Nadu state government over the implementation of NEP in the state.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has accused the Union government of trying to impose Hindi and has refused to implement the three-language formula under NEP.
Tamil Nadu’s refusal to adopt the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has revived the long-standing debate on language.
The debate over NEP is focused on its three-language formula, which Tamil Nadu fears may lead to the introduction of Hindi in the state. Stalin has raised concerns that the policy gives more importance to Hindi over regional languages, which he believes affects the state’s linguistic identity and autonomy.
The central government, however, says that NEP encourages multilingualism and allows flexibility in language education. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has denied that Hindi is being imposed, stating that states have the freedom to choose their languages under the policy.
The dispute grew after the central government withheld ₹2,152 crore meant for Tamil Nadu’s Samagra Shiksha scheme, citing the state’s refusal to implement NEP. Tamil Nadu has historically opposed the three-language formula, considering it a step toward promoting Hindi, while the central government argues that the policy is intended to help students access job opportunities in different regions.
What is the three-language policy?
The three-language formula proposed under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 differs significantly from the earlier policy introduced in 1968. The previous policy required Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language (preferably a southern language) in Hindi-speaking states, while non-Hindi-speaking states followed Hindi, English, and a regional language.
NEP 2020 claims to offer greater flexibility and states that no language will be imposed on any state. However, it encourages the study of certain languages. The policy includes a dedicated section highlighting Sanskrit and promotes its inclusion as an option under the three-language formula. It also states that classical languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, as well as Pali, Persian, and Prakrit, should be available as language choices.
To support learning in the mother tongue, NEP 2020 emphasizes the availability of high-quality textbooks in mother tongues. In 2024, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) released digital books in 104 regional languages and dialects, including Bengali, Khandeshi, Tulu, Ladakhi, Pashto, Bhili, Dogri, Lahuli (Pattani), and Car Nicobarese. NCERT officials have said that state education departments, through their respective State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), are responsible for translating these materials.
Some states have already taken steps in line with NEP 2020. In 2023, Andhra Pradesh introduced bilingual textbooks in Telugu and English. Assam followed suit by launching bilingual Science and Maths textbooks in English, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali.