In a significant ruling on language rights and education, the Supreme Court of India has directed the State of Rajasthan to formulate a policy for implementing mother tongue-based education and progressively introduce Rajasthani as a subject in schools across the state.
The bench observed that language is not merely a means of communication but is deeply connected to dignity, identity, and meaningful participation in society. The Court said,
“The ability to understand and be understood in one’s own language is not a matter of convenience, but a matter of existential rights.”
Background of the Case
The matter arose from a Public Interest Litigation filed by Padam Mehta and another petitioner seeking inclusion of the Rajasthani language in the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) 2021 syllabus for recruitment to Teacher Grade-III posts. The petitioners also sought directions for imparting education in Rajasthani or local languages.
The Rajasthan High Court had dismissed the plea in November 2024, holding that the petitioners had failed to establish an enforceable legal right requiring intervention through a writ petition.
Challenging that decision, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court.
Court’s Observations on Language and Education
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta extensively discussed the constitutional importance of language in education.
The Court referred to Article 350A of the Constitution, the Right to Education Act, 2009, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, noting that all of them emphasize education in the child’s mother tongue.
The judgment stated that education loses its true purpose if students cannot properly understand the language of instruction. The bench observed that instruction delivered in an unfamiliar language can impair foundational learning and create fear and alienation among children.
Referring to earlier Supreme Court decisions, the Court reiterated that the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) also includes the right to receive education in a language understood by the child.
State’s Stand Rejected
During the hearing, the Rajasthan government argued that only languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution are currently taught in government schools and that Rajasthani has not yet received such recognition.
However, the Supreme Court criticised the State’s approach and called it “pedantic” and “lackadaisical.” The bench pointed out that Rajasthani is already being taught at university level in institutions including the University of Rajasthan and Jai Narain Vyas University.
“The absence of a policy is projected not as a shortcoming warranting prompt rectification, but as a ground to defend the existing inertia,” the Court remarked.
Supreme Court’s Decision
Allowing the appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the Rajasthan High Court’s order and directed the State government to frame a comprehensive policy for implementing mother tongue-based education in line with NEP 2020.
The Court ordered Rajasthan to take “affirmative and time-bound steps” to introduce Rajasthani as a subject in both government and private schools in a phased manner. It also directed the State to facilitate the use of Rajasthani as a medium of instruction at foundational stages of schooling.
The State has been asked to file a compliance affidavit before the Court by September 25, 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: Padam Mehta and Another v. State of Rajasthan and Others
Case Number: Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (C) No. 1425 of 2025
Judges: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
Decision Date: May 12, 2026
