Can English be considered an indigenous language of India ? Supreme Court

New Delhi – “Can English itself be regarded as an indigenous language of India?” the Supreme Court asked while refusing to stay the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Three-Language Policy. The policy has been implemented from the 2026–27 academic session.

The petitioner contended that under the new policy, students would be required to study two Indian languages. They would have to discontinue the language they had been studying continuously from Class V onwards. It was further argued that English had been classified as a “non-native” language. Concerns were also raised regarding the availability of teachers and textbooks for the native languages.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that English has been spoken in India for the past 300 years. It is the official language of States such as Nagaland and Meghalaya. Proceedings in all High Courts and the Supreme Court are also conducted in English. Therefore, English cannot simply be treated as a completely foreign language and set aside.

Agreeing with the submission, the Court observed that India has now become the second-largest English-speaking country in the world. Therefore, there is a need to reconsider the definition of the term “indigenous language.”

Twenty-two languages on paper; books available in only three languages !

Under the rules, students are, on paper, free to choose any of the 22 official Indian languages listed in the Constitution. However, in practice, only textbooks in three languages are currently available on the official website of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). It was argued before the Court that if the policy is implemented hastily without the necessary infrastructure and availability of teachers, it could cause serious harm to students.