Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Raj Mohan reaffirmed the state's two-language policy, rejecting the central government's three-language formula [1, 2].
This decision maintains a long-standing regional resistance to the National Education Policy, which seeks to standardize language instruction across India. The tension reflects a broader struggle between state autonomy and central mandates regarding cultural and linguistic identity.
Minister Raj Mohan said the state will continue to implement only Tamil and English in its schools [1, 2]. This stance comes as the Central Board of Secondary Education has adopted the three-language rule for students in classes nine and 10 [2].
Officials in Tamil Nadu view the three-language system as a central imposition [1, 2]. By sticking to the two-language model, the state aims to protect its linguistic heritage and avoid the perceived forced introduction of additional languages, specifically Hindi, into the curriculum.
The dispute over language policy has coincided with a deepening row regarding the allocation of funds from the central government [1]. The state's refusal to align with the National Education Policy may impact how educational resources are distributed between the center and the region.
Tamil Nadu has historically resisted the three-language formula to ensure that Tamil remains the primary medium of local instruction and identity [2]. The government said the policy remains a priority for the state's education system [1].
“Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Raj Mohan reaffirmed the state's two-language policy.”
The reaffirmation of the two-language policy signals a continued ideological divide between the Tamil Nadu government and the central administration. By rejecting the National Education Policy's language framework, the state is prioritizing regional linguistic identity over national standardization, which could lead to further friction regarding federal funding and educational accreditation for students transitioning to higher education.
