NEP 2020 Policy: Requires students to learn three languages, with at least two being Indian.
Changes from Past Policies: Unlike the NEP 1968, which mandated Hindi, English, and a regional language, NEP 2020 allows flexibility in language selection.
Regional Flexibility: States and students can choose languages, promoting multilingualism while respecting cultural and regional diversity.

Evolution of Three Language Formula Policy

Article 351 of the Constitution: Makes the Union duty bound to promote the spread of the Hindi language.
Kothari Commission (1964-66): It first proposed the three-language formula, which was later adopted in the National Policy on Education (1968).
National Education Policy (NEP), 1968: Observed use of regional languages at the primary and secondary stages, and called to adopt the same at the university stage as well.
1992 Programme of Action: Mother tongue/ regional language should be the medium of communication at the pre-school level
Right to Education Act, 2009: As far as possible, the medium of instruction in school should be the child's mother tongue.
National Education Policy (NEP),2020: Advocates for utilising the home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language as the medium of instruction at least until Grade 5, but preferably extending till Grade 8 and beyond.

Advantages of Three Language Formula

According to UNESCO's latest report Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education, multilingual education

Enhances Access and Inclusion
- Wider educational access: Helps children from diverse linguistic backgrounds learn in a language they understand.
- Parental engagement: Learning in native languages boosts parental involvement in education.
- Inclusion of marginalized groups: Respects and integrates linguistic and cultural diversity in education.
Improves Learning Outcomes
- Nurturing Socio-emotional growth: Multilingual education helps children express themselves better and understand diverse perspectives.
- Better academic performance: Research shows multilingual students excel in other subjects due to enhanced cognitive abilities.
Supports Sustainable Development
- Cultural preservation: Protects languages and traditions for future generations.
- Economic benefits: E.g. Switzerland attributes 10% of its GDP to its multilingual heritage.
- Social harmony: Encourages understanding and tolerance between linguistic and cultural groups.
- Environmental protection: Indigenous languages preserve traditional knowledge and sustainable practices.
Facilitates National Integration
- Effective communication: Helps students interact across regions.
- Unity in diversity: Promotes respect for different cultures and languages, strengthening national identity.

Politicisation: Language is a politically sensitive issues in many part of the world. Multilingual education could be used as a tool to mobilise people in spirit of the 'sons of the soil' which may hamper national integrity.
- Sons of the soil are culturally dominant in their region but a minority in the country. They feel threatened by migrants from the majority culture settling in their homeland.
Language Learning Should be a Choice: Adults can learn languages based on their profession and other needs, making compulsory school language policies unnecessary.
Struggles in Primary Education: Many students in India lack basic literacy. Adding a third language could overburden an already strained education system.
- Additionally, Children from monolingual homes may find multilingual education confusing and stressful.
Shortage of Qualified Teachers: Shortage of teachers for 2^nd and 3^rd language could divert funds from more pressing educational needs like infrastructure for faculty training.
Challenges for Linguistically Diverse States: States like Nagaland, with multiple languages and limited resources, may struggle to implement a three language formula.
Execution difficulties: For example, Haryana introduced Tamil but faced difficulties.
Technology Reduces Barrier: AI tools like Google Gemini provide instant translations, making language proficiency less necessary.

Prioritizing Education Quality: Focus on improving teaching quality and learning outcomes rather than adding more languages.
Strengthening Cooperative Federalism: Encourage dialogue between the Centre and States to ensure smooth NEP 2020 implementation and avoid funding delays.
Aligning with UNESCO's Multilingual Education Guidance
- Data-Driven Policy: Collect sociolinguistic and educational data for effective planning.
- Learning Materials & Assessments: Develop resources in learners' languages and adapt assessments.
- Qualified Teachers: Train educators fluent in both the mother tongue and official language.
- Community Engagement: Involve parents, caregivers, and Indigenous groups in designing effective multilingual programs.