Three-language Formula: Need, Issues & Challenges - UPSC Editorial

India is a country with a wide variety of languages. People from different parts of India speak different languages, which reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage. One of the most important issues that has been debated for decades in India is the language policy, especially how many languages should be taught in schools across the country. This issue became especially important with the introduction of the three-language formula, which has caused a lot of debates, particularly in the southern states like Tamil Nadu.

The three-language formula was introduced in 1968 by the Indian government. It suggested that students should learn three languages: Hindi, English, and a regional language (the language spoken in their own area). This formula was meant to help people from different parts of India communicate with each other, especially since Hindi is spoken by many people in northern India. But not everyone agreed with this idea, and some states, like Tamil Nadu, strongly opposed it, arguing that it would force people to learn Hindi, a language that is not spoken in their region.

The three-language formula is a plan suggested by the government to make sure that students in India learn three different languages. The idea was to teach:

1. Hindi – the most spoken language in India.
2. English – the international language used for business, science, and communication.
3. A regional language – a language that is spoken in the state or region where the student lives.

For example, a student in Tamil Nadu might learn Tamil (the regional language), Hindi, and English. A student in Uttar Pradesh would learn Hindi, English, and a regional language like Urdu or Awadhi.

Why Was the Three-Language Formula Created?

The purpose of the three-language formula was to help people from different parts of India communicate with each other. India is home to many languages, and having a common language, like Hindi, would help people understand each other. English was also included because it is an important language used in business and education around the world. By learning regional languages, students could also feel connected to their own culture.

In a country as large and diverse as India, the formula was meant to help create unity while also respecting the different languages spoken across the nation.

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Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, has strongly opposed the three-language formula since it was introduced. The reason for this opposition is that the state’s people speak Tamil, not Hindi. In Tamil Nadu, people feel very strongly about their language and culture. They believe that learning Hindi in schools would force them to give up their own language, Tamil, which is an important part of their identity.

This opposition started back in 1965, when there were protests against making Hindi the compulsory language in schools. Tamil Nadu’s government believes that each state should decide what languages to teach, and they have stuck to their two-language formula, which means students learn only Tamil and English. The state does not want the central government to force Hindi on them.

Recently, the Indian government has again raised the issue of the three-language formula in its new education policy (NEP 2020). The government wants more schools to follow this rule, but Tamil Nadu has rejected it, saying that the policy is an attempt to make Hindi the main language in the country. The government of Tamil Nadu has also argued that the policy is unfair because it does not take into account the local needs and languages of different states.

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Some states in India support the three-language formula because they believe it will help children learn languages that will be useful for their future. Hindi is spoken by many people in northern India, so learning Hindi helps children from different regions communicate. English is also important because it is widely used in business, science, and technology. Learning English gives children access to opportunities in the global world.

In states like Uttar Pradesh, where Hindi is spoken by most people, the three-language formula makes sense. However, in states like Tamil Nadu, where people speak Tamil, the situation is different. People in Tamil Nadu feel that the three-language formula does not respect their language and culture.

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The issue of which languages should be taught in schools is not the same everywhere in India. Some states, such as Goa and Chandigarh, have a high number of people who speak more than one language. In Goa, for example, most people speak at least two languages, and more than half speak three languages. In these places, the idea of learning multiple languages seems natural and helpful.

But in other states, especially in the Hindi-speaking areas, many people only speak Hindi. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, most people speak Hindi, and very few speak languages like Urdu or any regional dialect. Therefore, the three-language formula is easier to follow there because many people are already familiar with Hindi.

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While the three-language formula aims to promote multilingualism, it is not easy to implement everywhere. Some of the problems include:

• Language Diversity – India has so many different languages that it is hard to create a one-size-fits-all policy. Each state has its own languages and preferences. Forcing all states to follow the same rule does not respect this diversity.
• Lack of Resources – Teaching students three languages requires many teachers and resources. In some regions, there are not enough teachers who are fluent in Hindi, and students might struggle to learn it.
• Political Issues – Language is a sensitive issue in many states. Some people see the promotion of Hindi as an effort to make it the national language at the expense of their own languages. This leads to political tensions between the central government and state governments.

India is a land of many languages, and the three-language formula was created to help people understand each other. While the idea of promoting multilingualism is important, it also has to respect the identity of different states and regions. Some states, like Tamil Nadu, believe that their languages and culture should be protected and not overshadowed by Hindi.

The key challenge for the Indian government is to find a way to balance the need for national unity with the protection of regional languages. This means that while learning multiple languages is important, the policy must be flexible enough to allow states to decide what languages are best for their children’s education.

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Hope all your questions about the topic have been answered by reading the editorial. Prepare well for UPSC IAS exams by downloading the Testbook App here!

1. Critically examine the three-language formula proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the context of India's linguistic diversity. What are the challenges associated with its implementation?
2. Discuss the historical context and the contemporary relevance of Tamil Nadu's opposition to the imposition of Hindi in the education system. How can the concerns raised by Tamil Nadu be addressed within the framework of India's federal structure?
3. Language is not only a means of communication but also an important marker of cultural identity. In light of this, evaluate the implications of the three-language formula for regional linguistic identities in India.