UGC Suggests HEIS To Incorporate Courses In Three Indian Languages

Q: What exactly has UGC asked colleges/universities to do?

UGC has asked Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to introduce courses in three Indian languages—Hindi, Gujarati, and Sanskrit—to foster multilingual learning and promote Indian linguistic heritage.

Q: In what form will these language courses be offered, and to whom?

The courses will be offered as certificate, elective, or value-added programs and will be open to students across various disciplines depending on institutional offerings.

Q: What structure and flexibility will be given for these language courses?

HEIs will be allowed to design their own course duration, credit structure, mode of delivery, and evaluation methods, giving them flexibility while ensuring alignment with NEP 2020’s multilingual framework.

Author :

Shilpa Nigam

Last Updated on : 08 Dec 2025 11:15AM

The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued the guidelines to suggest, all higher education institutions (HEIs) incorporate courses in a minimum of three Indian languages in the curriculum.

Important Guidelines By UGC

Time Frame: The UGC suggested these changes for the upcoming academic session of 2026.
Levels: Institutions will be required to offer courses consisting of basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, along with the provision for easy entry and exit and credit transfer.
Linguistic Options: The policy promotes learning of:

One local or regional language.
One Indian language out of the 22 scheduled languages, preferably from a different state or region.
One optional language of choice.

Objective: The project intends to augment/boost linguistic variety, promote mutual understanding among cultures, and open up more job opportunities as a part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision.

UGC Suggestions: A Perspective of NEP 2020

The UGC's directive finds its foundation in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision that seeks to foster multilingualism, cultural integration, and national unity as its core concern.

Medium of Instruction: The NEP 2020 recommends that, when possible, schools teach in the home language or mother tongue up to Grade 5 at least and preferably up to Grade 8. This makes it easy for kids to grasp the concepts and lay a strong foundation for further learning.

Flexibility and Choice: The policy clearly states that no language will be imposed on any state or student. It gives the option of choosing three languages, out of which at least two must be Indian languages.

The UGC's recommendation to adopt the three-language policy of NEP 2020 as a general practice highlights India's dedication to the promotion of multilingualism at the same time while the respect for cultural diversity. Moreover, it guarantees that learners acquire the necessary language proficiency, maintain their connection with the areas where they come from, and are thus more suited for both national and international opportunities.

In conclusion, it is a step towards an educational system that is more adaptable, inclusive, and ready for the future.

FAQ's

What exactly has UGC asked colleges/universities to do?

UGC has instructed that all higher-education institutions (HEIs) — including state, central, private, technical and affiliated colleges — should offer courses in at least three Indian languages. One should be the local/regional language, and the others should be chosen from the 22 scheduled Indian languages.

In what form will these language courses be offered, and to whom?

The language courses may be offered as “Ability Enhancement Courses (AEC), credit courses, or audit courses”. They are meant to be available to all students (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral), as well as faculty, staff — and potentially members of the local community.

What structure and flexibility will be given for these language courses?

The courses will be designed at three progressive proficiency levels — Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced — with flexible entry and exit options. That allows learners to pick a level depending on their comfort and time commitment.

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