Overview

• Tamil Nadu released its State Education Policy on August 8 as a formal alternative to the National Education Policy with a two-language framework of Tamil and English.
• The SEP rejects the NEP’s three-language formula, centralised entrance exams and proposed public assessments in Classes 3, 5 and 8, recommending undergraduate admissions based on consolidated school marks.
• A 14-member committee chaired by retired Justice D. Murugesan drafted the policy, which prioritises science education, artificial intelligence skills and strengthened English proficiency.
• The policy calls for moving education from the Concurrent List back to the State List to reinforce Tamil Nadu’s legislative autonomy in schooling.
• The government has filed a plea in the Supreme Court to recover over ₹2,150 crore withheld under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and leaders insist they will not implement the NEP under any terms.