Overview

• Speaking at IIT Madras, the Union education minister outlined that Classes 1–2 would follow a two‑language formula and Classes 6–10 a three‑language formula with the mother tongue and languages of choice.
• He insisted no state will be forced to learn any particular language and cited that only about 10% of Indians speak English to underscore mother‑tongue instruction.
• Pradhan said the Centre will release roughly ₹2,152 crore under Samagra Shiksha only after Tamil Nadu signs the NEP MoU, a condition the state is contesting in the Supreme Court to recover the withheld amount.
• He accused the ruling DMK of politicising the issue and pointed to other states implementing three languages, highlighting Uttar Pradesh where students may opt for Tamil or Marathi as additional subjects.
• Tamil Nadu continues to uphold its two‑language policy and has advanced its own state education policy rejecting the three‑language formula, keeping the standoff unresolved.