**Policy Summary: Implementation of the Three-Language Formula in Primary Education**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Education's policy regarding the introduction of a third language in primary classes, as outlined in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2484, answered on August 4, 2025. The policy is guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, specifically paragraph 4.13, which emphasizes the continued implementation of the three-language formula while respecting Constitutional provisions, regional aspirations, and the promotion of multilingualism and national unity.
Key aspects of the policy include:
* **Flexibility:** States retain the autonomy to choose the three languages taught, ensuring no language is imposed. Student choice is also considered, provided at least two of the three languages are native to India.
* **Language Change Option:** Students can change one or more of their chosen languages in Grades 6 or 7, contingent on demonstrating basic proficiency in three languages, including one Indian language at the literature level, by the end of secondary school.
* **National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 Alignment:** The NCF aims to ensure students achieve independent reading and writing proficiency in three languages by the end of high school, with at least two being native to India.
* **Language Proficiency Targets:** R1 (first language, ideally mother tongue or state language) proficiency is expected by age 8. R2 (second language, distinct from R1) proficiency is targeted by age 11. R3 (third language, distinct from R1 and R2) proficiency is targeted by age 14.
* **State Implementation:** Given that education is a concurrent subject, individual States/Union Territories are responsible for deciding on the implementation of the Three Language Policy, adhering to the principles of NEP 2020.
Inquiries regarding this policy can be directed to the Ministry of Education, with specific questions addressed to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy NEP, 2020: A national policy document that provides a framework for education in India.
National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023: A framework document that guides the development of curriculum, syllabus and textbooks for school education in India.
Three-Language Formula: A language education policy in India that promotes the learning of three languages in schools. It mandates students to learn Hindi, English and a regional language of their choice.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Tariq Anwar: A member of parliament who raised a question about the introduction of the third language in primary classes.
Jayant Chaudhary: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education who provided the answer to the question raised in the Lok Sabha.
Union Territories: Administrative divisions in India that are governed directly by the Union Government.
States: Subnational administrative divisions in India, each with its own elected government.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2484
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Introduction of Third Language in Primary Classes
†2484. Shri Tariq Anwar:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has directed State Governments/Union Territories to introduce a
third language for students of primary classes;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is implemented; and
(c) the details of States which have already implemented the same alongwith year of
implementation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c) The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, inter-alia, at para 4.13, provides that the
three-language formula will continue to be implemented while keeping in mind the
Constitutional provisions, aspirations of the people, regions, and the Union, and the need to
promote multilingualism as well as promote national unity. However, there will be a greater
flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State. The
three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the
students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India. In
particular, students who wish to change one or more of the three languages they are studying
may do so in Grade 6 or 7, as long as they are able to demonstrate basic proficiency in three
languages (including one language of India at the literature level) by the end of secondary
school.
The National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 aims to enable all our students
to learn at least three languages, so that students achieve independent reading and writingproficiency in three languages by the end of high school. At least two of these three Languages
— R1, R2, and R3 — must be native to India.
R1 is the first language in which students learn literacy, ideally their mother tongue or, if not
feasible, the state language, with proficiency expected by age 8, R2 is the second language
distinct from R1, with proficiency to be achieved by age 11 and R3 is the third language
different from R1 and R2, with proficiency targeted by age 14.
Further, Education being a subject in the Concurrent list of the Constitution, the respective
States/Union Territories Governments may decide the implementation of the Three Language
Policy in the spirit of NEP 2020.
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