The Economics of Language
Hindi, English and the Three-Language Formula
How debates over Hindi and English shaped India's official language policy, the anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, and the economics of the three-language formula.
India has long debated which languages to use for government and schooling.
Official languages
- The Constitution made Hindi the official language of the Union, with English continuing.
- The Official Languages Act, 1963 allowed English to continue indefinitely after anti-Hindi protests.
Tamil Nadu
Large anti-Hindi agitations in 1965 shaped politics in Tamil Nadu, which follows a two-language policy (Tamil and English).
Three-language formula
Proposed in the 1960s, it suggests students learn their regional language, Hindi and English (or another language). The NEP 2020 kept a flexible version, which has again sparked debate.
Economics
- A common language lowers coordination costs.
- But forcing one language imposes costs on non-speakers.
- English acts as a neutral link language for many.
Candidates can write the UPSC main exam in English, Hindi or several other scheduled languages, reflecting India's multilingual balance.
The Constitution names official languages, not a national one.
- Hindi and English are Union official languages.
- 1965 agitations shaped Tamil Nadu's policy.
- The three-language formula remains debated.
- Common languages cut costs but impose costs too.
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