A Landmark Announcement for Indian Education
In a momentous proclamation, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stated that
Indian education will be an education system that operates with Indian and local languages
as the base language of instruction in schools and universities in India going forward. This
represents an important shift in Indian education policy in India, away from the long-standing use of
English as the language of instruction and in line with India’s commitment to an inclusive
and accessible Indian education system.
The Linguistic Landscape of India
India is a country known for its linguistic diversity, with more than 1,600 languages and
dialects being spoken in India. India has 22 languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule of
the Constitution (Constitution of India, 1950). As a colonial legacy, English plays a dominant
role in education, which is often regarded as a key to success in the global economy (Kumar,
2017). This privilege of learning/using English at school has been a barrier to millions of
students, especially in rural areas and marginalized communities, who may never get access
to quality English as a medium of instruction. The new proposed policy seeks to mitigate this
disconnect by allowing students an opportunity to learn in their mother tongues or regional
languages. The intent with this policy change is to improve comprehension, engagement, and
ultimately learning
With this initiative, Indian education aims to empower students by providing them the tools they need to succeed.
This shift in Indian education also aims to enhance learning outcomes and promote cultural understanding among students.
Aligning with the National Education Policy
This transformation in Indian education will help bridge the gap for many children who have been left behind.
By focusing on Indian education, the government is fostering an environment where every child can thrive in their learning journey.
Ultimately, the goal of Indian education is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
The shift aligns with the wider aspirations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020,
which articulates a sense of urgency around the value of early education in a child’s language
of speech. Evidence prioritizes the fact that children make meaning from concepts when they
are taught in the language they can utilize fluently during their first years in formal education.
By prioritizing Indian and local languages, the government seeks to provide a more equitable
education where no child is excluded due to language-based access issues.
This vision for Indian education is not just about language; it’s about creating pathways for all students.
A Vision for an Inclusive Future
The announcement made by Minister Pradhan is a testament to India’s desire both to totalize
its cultural and linguistic heritage and also to modernize its educational system. If done
properly, this policy may refigure the educational ecosystem in such a way that it will be
more representative of India’s diversity and inclusivity and even more accessible for all of
India’s citizens.
References
“What does NEP, 2020 state about languages? explained The Hindu.” Published on
March 10, 2025.
- “Higher Education and Regional Languages—Drishti IAS.” Published on January 23,
- “Indian Languages Section: Amit Shah’s Push to Shift Administrative Power Away
From ‘Influence of Foreign Languages’—Outlook’ India.” Published on June 07, 2025.
