The debate should not revolve around choosing between English and regional languages.
“Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti” is a Vedic statement that means “Truth is one, but the wise speak it as many”. It is derived from Rig Veda Samhita 1.164
The state of Indian languages in educational discourse has been mired in an endless, polarizing debate. On one side, there is a strong assertion for the primacy of local languages, arguing that education should be imparted in the mother tongue to ensure better comprehension and cognitive development. On the other side, there is an equally forceful argument advocating for a uniform national language, often Hindi, to create a cohesive linguistic identity. Both positions have entrenched themselves so deeply in the national discourse that they have obstructed any meaningful development of Indian languages. The result is a deadlock—neither has India successfully developed and modernized regional languages to meet the demands of contemporary education, nor has it established a common language that the entire nation can uniformly engage with. This stagnation has been counterproductive, preventing meaningful reforms that could strengthen India’s linguistic and educational ecosystem. The need of the hour is to dismantle this false binary and create a roadmap that fosters both the growth of regional languages and the pragmatic need for a common linguistic framework for national discourse.
ENGLISH: A NECESSARY SKILL, NOT THE ULTIMATE GOAL
The debate over Indian languages often comes wrapped in apprehensions about English. It is undeniable that English serves as the global lingua franca, a necessary skill that enables Indians to compete on the world stage. However, treating it as the be-all and end-all of language acquisition is a flawed approach. The world is evolving, with globalization, artificial intelligence, and rapid technological advancements creating industries that demand multilingual proficiency and domain expertise beyond mere conversational ability. Simply knowing English is no longer sufficient; specialization in technical, scientific, and economic fields now requires mastery over complex terminologies in multiple languages.
Additionally, there exists a post-colonial argument advocating for the de-centering of English in India’s educational system. While English should remain a tool for global engagement, it should not come at the expense of Indian languages. The binary of choosing between English and regional languages is misleading and must be discarded. Instead, the focus should be on a dual-language approach where English proficiency is encouraged, but alongside it, Indian languages are also systematically developed to accommodate contemporary academic, technological, and economic discourse. The need is not for an either-or approach but a model that integrates both global connectivity and indigenous linguistic empowerment.
A MIDDLE PATH FOR MODERNIZATION
Unlike previous governments, which either ignored the issue or exacerbated the linguistic divide, the Modi government has successfully crafted a balanced approach that merges modernity with linguistic heritage. The introduction of initiatives like the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme (BBPS) is a landmark intervention aimed at revitalizing Indian languages in education. Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, the BBPS seeks to provide digital textbooks and study materials in various Indian languages, ensuring accessibility for students across schools and universities.
This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the importance of learning in one’s mother tongue. Research consistently highlights that students grasp and retain knowledge better when taught in their native languages. However, a longstanding challenge has been the lack of quality academic resources in regional languages. BBPS addresses this gap by systematically ensuring the production of textbooks in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The government has allocated Rs 5,100 crore over three years to fund the creation of at least 15,000 textbooks. Each book is supported by financial incentives of Rs 1.5 lakh, encouraging universities and institutions to develop original content and high-quality translations. The implementation is decentralized, with regulatory bodies like the UGC, AICTE, and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti overseeing content creation. Institutions are encouraged to collaborate with AI-driven translation tools such as Anuvadini, Udaan, and Bhashini to expedite and refine the translation process.
Another key aspect of this initiative is the establishment of Books Quality Assurance Committees (BQAC) to ensure academic rigor and maintain high standards. Additionally, platforms like INFLIBNET and e-KUMBH are being leveraged to make these resources widely accessible in digital form, ensuring that linguistic inclusivity is integrated into India’s rapidly digitizing educational landscape.
The long-term implications of such policies are profound. First, they contribute to the decolonization of India’s education system, shifting away from an overdependence on English while making knowledge accessible to a broader population. Second, they strengthen India’s multilingual ecosystem by equipping students with proficiency in both regional languages and English. Third, by integrating AI and digital tools into language development, the initiative ensures that Indian languages are not merely preserved as cultural relics but are actively modernized and made fit for contemporary and future applications.
A PATH FORWARD: SYNTHESIS, NOT DIVISION
The road ahead for Indian languages in education must reject false binaries and instead embrace an inclusive approach. The debate should not revolve around choosing between English and regional languages, nor should it be fixated on whether India should impose a single national language. Instead, the goal must be to develop a multilingual model where English remains a tool for international engagement while Indian languages are systematically modernized and integrated into mainstream education.
This requires sustained policy efforts, incentivization for content creation in Indian languages, and technological innovation to enhance translation and accessibility. The Modi government has set the groundwork for this paradigm shift, moving beyond ideological rhetoric to implement a practical, forward-looking linguistic policy. The challenge now is to build upon this momentum, ensuring that India’s linguistic diversity is preserved and empowered to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
India’s linguistic future depends not on choosing one language over another but on ensuring that all its languages find their rightful place in the educational and professional spheres. The time for sterile debates is over; it is time for action, innovation, and a bold new vision for linguistic development. At the same time leaving the choice to the individual in the true spirit of the Bharatiya Dharmic state of celebration of cultural diversity and pluralism.
* Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the Vice Chancellor of JNU.