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Summary:

Five years after the introduction of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, data presented in Parliament reveals the extent of regional language education in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). While the NEP promotes a three-language formula with emphasis on Indian languages, only a small percentage of KVs (around 16%) offer regional language education. JNVs fare better, with a higher proportion offering regional languages, but this includes Hindi as a “local language.” The data lacks specificity on the state-wise distribution of these language offerings. The government cited logistical considerations related to the transferable nature of students’ parents’ jobs and the availability of contractual language teachers.

News Article:

Regional Language Education Lags in Central Government Schools Despite NEP 2020 Push

New Delhi – December 1, 2025 – Five years after the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, government data reveals a slow uptake of regional language education in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), central government-run schools. According to figures presented in Parliament today, only 16% of KVs across the country offer regional language instruction.

The NEP 2020 promotes a three-language formula, advocating for at least two of those languages to be Indian languages, where possible. However, the data indicates that out of 1,405 sanctioned KVs, only 226 provide instruction in 10 regional languages, including Punjabi, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tamil.

In contrast, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) show a higher proportion of schools offering regional languages. Of the 689 JNVs, 665 provide instruction in at least one of 18 “local languages,” but this figure includes Hindi as a “local language” in 315 schools.

The data, presented by the Union Education Ministry in response to a question from Trinamool Congress MP Sharmila Sarkar, lacks specifics on the state-wise distribution of these language offerings.

Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary explained that the KV curriculum is designed with the needs of children of transferable Central government employees in mind. He added that contractual language teachers are hired when at least 15 students opt for a specific language.

The findings highlight the challenges in implementing the NEP 2020’s language policy, raising concerns about the promotion of regional languages within the central education system. The inclusion of Hindi as a “local language” in JNV data has also drawn criticism.

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