Language Policy and National Integration: A Case Study of NEP 2020

Language policy has long been a critical instrument in shaping national identity, social cohesion, and
educational outcomes. In India, a country characterized by extraordinary linguistic diversity, language
policy plays a pivotal role in fostering national integration while promoting equitable access to education.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides a transformative framework for educational reform,
emphasizing multilingual education, regional language promotion, and the three-language formula. This
research paper examines the implications of NEP 2020 for language policy and its impact on national
integration, exploring the intersection of linguistic diversity, social cohesion, and educational reform.
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys of 1,200 educators,
policymakers, and students, qualitative interviews with 50 language policy experts and education
administrators, and secondary analysis of policy documents, reports, and case studies from 2018 to 2025.
The research investigates the effectiveness of NEP 2020 in promoting multilingual education, the
integration of regional and local languages, and its role in strengthening national unity. Key findings
indicate that NEP 2020’s emphasis on mother tongue instruction, multilingual curriculum design, and
regional language promotion enhances learning outcomes, cultural identity, and social cohesion.
Challenges identified include resource constraints, teacher training limitations, sociopolitical tensions,
and disparities in implementation across states. Recommendations include capacity building for
multilingual education, development of region-specific instructional materials, teacher training programs,
and monitoring mechanisms to ensure equitable and consistent policy implementation. The study
concludes that NEP 2020 has the potential to strengthen national integration by leveraging language
policy as a tool for inclusive education, cultural preservation, and social cohesion. By effectively
implementing its multilingual and inclusive provisions, NEP 2020 can harmonize linguistic diversity with
national unity while improving educational outcomes across India.