Gujarat and Punjab have emerged as the frontrunners in implementing the three-language policy, with over 95% of schools in both states adhering to it, according to data presented in Parliament by Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary.
As per the data, 97.6% of schools in Gujarat and 96.2% in Punjab offer three languages in their curriculum. This is followed by Sikkim (89.2%), making it the third-highest state in compliance. Gujarat has made Gujarati a mandatory subject, while Punjab has mandated Punjabi in its schools.
On a national scale, only 61.6% of schools follow the three-language formula. Among the southern states, Kerala (71.7%) and Karnataka (76.4%) have a significant percentage of schools implementing the policy. In the north, Uttar Pradesh (82.8%) is ahead, whereas Madhya Pradesh (55.4%) and Delhi (58.7%) fall behind.
At the bottom of the list, states like Arunachal Pradesh (0.3%), Nagaland (2.5%), and Tamil Nadu (3.2%) have the lowest adoption of the three-language policy. Additionally, nine other states and one Union Territory report less than 50% implementation, including Andhra Pradesh (43.5%), Assam (33.6%), Bihar (49.8%), Jharkhand (39%), and West Bengal (48.5%).
Tamil Nadu has long opposed the three-language formula, arguing that it could lead to the imposition of Hindi. The DMK-led state government has been vocal against its implementation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which mandates that at least two of the three languages should be native to India.
Also Read: Delhi Government allocates ₹100 crore for CM Shri Schools
Responding to another query in the Lok Sabha, Chaudhary highlighted the third-language options available in key states. Uttar Pradesh offers Urdu or Sanskrit, Madhya Pradesh provides Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, or Marathi, while Bihar allows Urdu or Sanskrit as additional language choices.
With stark differences across states, the implementation of the three-language policy continues to be a topic of debate and regional preference.
