Central Govt Proposes Law Courses in Regional Languages, UGC in Talks

New Delhi: The Central government is planning to introduce law courses in regional languages in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Following this planning, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has begun discussions with the law colleges.

This initiative by the Central government is taken as part of the implementation process of NEP 2020. The central government has proposed to begin law courses, considering the fact that AICTE has approved to begin B.Tech courses in regional languages.

In 2021, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) gave permission to 14 technical colleges to provide selected engineering courses in regional languages. Among those, 10 colleges chose Hindi and the rest chose the options of Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

While discussing this, UGC Chairperson Jagadesh Kumar has stated that the commission intends to commence degree programmes in Indian regional languages and the law courses are the first step of that initiative.

NEP Language Policy Guidelines: Instruction to be in Local Language Wherever Possible

“Law is one area where our students will benefit if they study in regional languages. Lawyers can prepare documents in regional languages and also interact with their clients in their mother tongues. In local courts also, arguments take place only in the local languages”, as stated by the Chairperson.

Jagadesh Kumar has also added that they are discussing this proposal with the Vice-Chancellors of national universities and other institutions. Many of them have already shown a positive outlook towards this proposal.

Additionally, the Government is also thinking of introducing UG, PG programmes for Science and Humanities in Indian languages. This effort, however, will not negate the fact that students should be trained in English language equally.

This is specifically because English is a beneficial language tool required for communication around the world. Introducing regional languages is to make the students from different strata of the country feel welcomed.

“The idea is that students should not feel intimidated by the new subjects that they learn because of the language barrier. They will feel much more comfortable if they are taught in their mother language,” as stated by the Chairperson.

Union Education Minister Confirms AICTE Approval for B.Tech in Regional Languages

In July, 2021, AICTE further approved 14 engineering colleges from 8 states to offer select B.Tech courses in regional languages. The courses will be taught in 11 regional languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Malayalam, Assamese, Punjabi and Odia.

Kumar also added that UGC will also contribute to the translation of the books into regional languages. After identifying the texts, the translation process will begin as per mutual understanding between national and international publishers.

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