-By ArdorComm News Network
March 26, 2025
The Union Education Ministry has revealed that 61.6% of schools in India follow the three-language formula, covering 74.7% of students nationwide. Gujarat and Punjab lead in implementation, while Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Tamil Nadu rank among the lowest.
The data, presented in Parliament on Monday in response to DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi’s query, highlights the ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Tamil Nadu’s DMK-led government opposes the three-language policy, calling it a move toward “Hindi imposition.”
Key Insights from the Report:
- Schools Offering Three Languages: 906,225 (61.6%)
- Schools Offering Two Languages: 416,601 (28.3%)
- Schools Offering One Language: 149,065 (10.1%)
- Students Studying Three Languages: 185.3M (74.7%)
- Students Studying Two Languages: 41.6M
- Students Studying One Language: 21M
Union Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary emphasized that no language would be imposed on any state, and flexibility would be provided to choose languages. However, analysis shows that Hindi-speaking states predominantly offer Sanskrit as the third language, while non-Hindi states often include Hindi. Meanwhile, private schools are increasingly offering foreign languages due to rising demand.
The debate over language education remains heated, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu, where linguistic identity plays a central role in politics. The data highlights the diverse linguistic landscape of India’s education system and the ongoing policy challenges in balancing national and regional priorities.