The Supreme Court is examining a question that could reshape how English is viewed under the CBSE’s implementation of India’s school language policy: Can a language deeply embedded in Indian society be treated as “non-native” or “non-indigenous” for the purposes of the three-language formula?
The Supreme Court is examining whether classifying English in this manner is legally and constitutionally appropriate. It has not yet ruled that English is an indigenous Indian language or declared the CBSE policy unconstitutional. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. The court also referred to English’s long history in India and its deep integration into the country’s institutional and social life. She argued that this status and English’s established role in India cannot simply be disregarded. English is not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, although it has official status for specified purposes and is widely used in courts, administration, education and public life. The Supreme Court is considering how these facts should affect English’s classification under the CBSE framework.
Mohana, has questioned the use of the terms “non-native”, “non-indigenous” and “foreign” in relation to English. Justice Joymalya Bagchi specifically questioned the word “native” and its colonial associations. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that English has official status for specified Union purposes under the Constitution and related legal provisions.
