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NEP-2020 promotes use of native languages as medium of instruction while maintaining English's role in higher education, suggesting a balanced approach to language education.
Language is described as a unique and intelligent trait of mankind, with India having 22 officially recognized languages. English was introduced during British rule and has grown in prevalence since then. In 1823, Indian leaders like Raja Rammohan Rai advocated for English education, opposing oriental education. Between 1882 and 1935, commissions such as the Calcutta University Commission and the Indian Education Commission worked to balance the roles of English and vernacular languages in Indian education. In the 1950s, the formula was introduced, assigning native languages as the first language and medium of instruction, with English as the third language in Hindi-speaking and non-Hindi-speaking states. To address dissatisfaction in non-Hindi-speaking areas, the Act established English as an associate official language for an indefinite period, solidifying its role in post-independence India. The first policy in 1968 emphasized regional languages and the three-language formula.Subsequent policies in 1986 and 1992 aimed to equalize educational opportunities. NEP-2020 further highlights multilingualism and the importance of language, recommending the use of native languages as the medium of instruction until grade 5 or beyond, while maintaining English as a key language for higher education and international communication
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Patel et al. (2025) studied this question.
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