On March 19, the central government assured the Rajya Sabha that no state would be forced to adopt any particular language. In a written response, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, specifically in paragraph 4.13, upholds the three-language formula. This policy will be implemented while respecting constitutional provisions, regional aspirations, and the goal of fostering multilingualism and national unity.

“However, there will be a greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any state,” he stated.“The three languages learned by children will be the choices of states, regions, and, of course, the students themselves, as long as at least two of the three languages are native to India,” the minister responded to a question posed by Dr John Brittas, a leader of the CPI(M).

A question was raised about whether the government is aware of the concerns and ongoing protests in Tamil Nadu against the imposition of Hindi under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In response, the minister stated that students can change one or more of the three languages they are learning in Grade 6 or 7, provided they achieve basic proficiency in three languages by the end of secondary school. At least one of these languages must be studied at the literature level. He clarified that NEP 2020 allows students to choose their preferred languages if at least two of the three selected languages by them are native to India.

The minister mentioned NEP-2020, para-4.12, “..research clearly shows that children pick up languages extremely quickly between the ages of 2 and 8 and that multilingualism has great cognitive benefits to young students, children will be exposed to different languages early on (but with a particular emphasis on the mother tongue), starting from the Foundational Stage onwards."

Languages will be taught in a fun and engaging way, encouraging plenty of conversation. In the rudimentary stage, children will focus on reading and writing in their mother tongue, while skills for reading and writing in other languages will be introduced from Grade 3 onwards.

"Extensive use of technology will be made for teaching and learning of different languages and to popularize it," he expressed.

Majumdar stated that the NEP 2020 also highlights the availability of high-quality textbooks in students' mother tongues and encourages teachers to adopt a bilingual teaching approach. To support this goal, the government is incorporating multilingual education at both school and higher education levels by providing study materials in Indian languages, ensuring that students can learn in their mother tongue or local language.