The Supreme Court of India has ordered the central government and the CBSE to respond to petitions challenging a mandatory three-language policy [1].
This legal challenge questions whether the National Education Policy 2020 imposes an undue burden on students or violates constitutional rights by mandating specific linguistic requirements in secondary education [1, 2].
The policy requires students in Class 9, and specifically those in classes six through nine, to study three languages [2, 3]. Under these rules, at least two of the three languages must be Indian languages [2].
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant presided over the proceedings in New Delhi [1]. The court has granted the Centre and the Central Board of Secondary Education a four-week deadline to file their replies [1].
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati represented the government during the proceedings. "There is no question of making it hard for the students," Bhati said [1].
The court has scheduled further hearings on the matter for July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024 [1]. The petitions argue that the requirement to learn multiple languages may create academic pressure and limit student choice in their curriculum [1, 2].
This case focuses on the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, which seeks to promote multilingualism across Indian schools. However, the mandatory nature of the rule has led to legal disputes regarding the balance between national educational goals and individual student rights [2].
“"There is no question of making it hard for the students."”
The Supreme Court's intervention highlights the tension between the Indian government's goal of linguistic integration through the National Education Policy 2020 and the practical academic burden placed on students. A ruling against the policy could force the CBSE to make the three-language rule optional rather than mandatory, potentially altering how Indian languages are prioritized in the national curriculum.
