MADURAI: Amid continued opposition from the ruling DMK government, Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday asked the State to implement the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. He stated that Tamil should be the medium of instruction up to class 5 per the policy.
The State government has been against the NEP, claiming the imposition of Hindi under the three-language formula. In August 2025, it rolled out the draft State Education Policy with a two-language formula in counter to NEP.
I am hopeful that the local government will encourage the Tamil language in the early stages. If we take care of the children, they will be the future leaders of our society," Union Minister Pradhan told reporters in Madurai.
The State government has been against the NEP, claiming the imposition of Hindi under the three-language formula. In August 2025, it rolled out the draft State Education Policy with a two-language formula in counter to NEP.
The issue reached the Supreme Court, which on December 15 directed the State to discuss with the Centre on establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the state. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan also asked the State to ascertain the extent of land necessary for establishing JNVs.
Appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, senior counsel P Wilson had argued that the Centre should also adopt a two-language formula in line with SEP. The top court urged the parties not to make this a language issue. It asserted that the aforesaid directions regarding the establishment of JNVs are in the interest of education among rural students.
The issue reached the Supreme Court, which on December 15 directed the State to discuss with the Centre on establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the state. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan also asked the State to ascertain the extent of land necessary for establishing JNVs.
Appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, senior counsel P Wilson had argued that the Centre should also adopt a two-language formula in line with SEP. The top court urged the parties not to make this a language issue. It asserted that the aforesaid directions regarding the establishment of JNVs are in the interest of education among rural students.
He said "We have completed the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam successfully. Yesterday, we successfully organised the concluding programme at Sri Rameswaram ji, and the Vice President of India addressed the gathering.
This Kashi Tamil Sangamam is the statement and civilizational link between different parts of our country, especially Kashi and Rameshwaram. Many people are now participating in it. In the future, a more effective cultural exchange program on the background of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' will be organised. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for envisioning this great cultural bridge between the two parts of our country."