Executive Summary:
The document addresses questions regarding the Government's stance on the Three-Language Policy, particularly concerning making Hindi optional. It reaffirms the policy's continuation, emphasizes flexibility, and highlights consultations with stakeholders in policy formulation. The policy aims to promote multilingualism and national unity without imposing any language on any State, as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Key Points / Main Content:
Three-Language Formula:
* The National Policy on Education 1968 adopted the three-language formula.
* NEP 2020 continues the three-language formula, promoting multilingualism and national unity.
* Greater flexibility is emphasized, with no language imposed on any State.
* States and students will choose the three languages, provided at least two are native to India.
National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023:
* NCFSE 2023 provides a roadmap for implementing NEP 2020 on language education.
* Aims for students to be independent speakers, readers, and writers in three languages (R1, R2, R3).
* R1: First language (mother tongue or state language) with proficiency by age 8.
* R2: Second language (different from R1) with proficiency by age 11.
* R3: Third language (different from R1 and R2) with proficiency by age 14.
Consultation and Implementation:
* The Government consults experts, linguists, policymakers, curriculum developers, teachers, students, parents, and NGOs.
* Extensive consultations were conducted before formulating NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023.
* States/UTs decide on implementing the Three Language Policy per NEP 2020.
* The Policy encourages States/UTs to adopt the formula flexibly, considering local needs and linguistic diversity.
Impact Analysis:
States and Union Territories:
* Impact: States/UTs have the autonomy to decide on the modalities of implementing the Three Language Policy, in accordance with the spirit and recommendations of the NEP, 2020, considering local needs and linguistic diversity.
* Action Required: Decide on the implementation modalities of the Three Language Policy.
Students:
* Impact: Students will learn three languages of their choice, with at least two being native to India, and achieve proficiency in these languages by specific age milestones.
* Action Required: Engage in language learning and achieve proficiency in R1 by age 8, R2 by age 11, and R3 by age 14.
Educational Institutions:
* Impact: Schools must provide an environment that supports the learning of three languages and implement the curriculum framework as outlined in NCFSE 2023.
* Action Required: Implement the NCFSE 2023, provide resources, and support language learning.
Key Entities Referenced
Three-Language Policy: A language education formula in India that promotes the study of Hindi, English, and a regional language in non-Hindi speaking states.
National Education Policy 2020: A comprehensive framework to guide the development of education in the country.
National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023: A roadmap for implementation of National Education Policy 2020 on Languages Education in India.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and administration of education.
Hindi: One of the languages promoted under the Three-Language Policy, it has been subject of reconsideration in the policy.
National Policy on Education 1968: Also known as Parliamentary Resolution 1968, it adopted the three language formula for implementation in national and state level school systems.
State and Union Territory: States and Union Territories of India, responsible for implementing the Three Language Policy.
Indian Constitution: The supreme law of India, which contains provisions relevant to language policy and education.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 151
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Three-Language Policy
151. Shri Manickam Tagore B:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government's reconsideration of it stance on the three-language policy,
particularly on making Hindi optional, indicate a lack of clear vision and decisive leadership
in education policy;
(b) whether the Government consider consulting with linguistic and educational experts to
develop a comprehensive language policy that balances regional identity with national
integration;
(c) the manner in which the Government respond to allegations of political expediency in
withdrawing the Government resolutions on Hindi, and doesn't this decision undermine the
National Education Policy's objective of promoting multilingualism; and
(d) the details of measures taken by the Government to prevent similar policy flip-flops in the
future and ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of students and the State's
linguistic heritage?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (d) The Parliamentary Resolution (1968) (also known as National Policy on
Education 1968) adopted the three language formula for implementation in national and state
level school systems.
The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, in para 4.13, provides that the
“three-language formula will continue to be implemented while keeping in mind theConstitutional 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.”
As a follow-up of NEP 2020, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education
(NCF-SE), 2023 has been developed which provides a roadmap for implementation of NEP
2020 on Languages Education in India. The NCF aims to make a student an independent
speaker, reader and writer in at least three languages denoted as R1, R2 and R3. R1 is the first
language in which students learn literacy, ideally their mother tongue or, if not feasible, the
state language, which would be a familiar 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.
Government of India regularly consults experts, linguists and state and national level
policy makers, curriculum developers and implementers, practising teachers and students,
parents, teachers, teacher educators, parents, NGOs and (also students) working in the field for
policy formulations and curriculum development. Prior to the formulation of the National
Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 large
number of stake holders were consulted in person and also through digital means. All the
regions / states were consulted and the opinions and practices of the various school systems
were also taken into consideration for making of the policy.
Further, since Education is a subject under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, it is
for the respective State and Union Territory (UT) Governments to decide on the modalities of
implementing the Three Language Policy, in accordance with the spirit and recommendations
of the NEP, 2020. The Policy emphasizes the promotion of multilingualism and encourages
States/UTs to adopt the Three Language Formula in a flexible manner, keeping in view local
needs, linguistic diversity, and implementation feasibility.
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