NEW DELHI — During a prolonged legal exchange conducted entirely in English, the Supreme Court questioned whether English should be classified as a foreign or indigenous language under the central education board's new three-language formula. The mandate, which requires Class 9 students to study at least two "native Indian languages" starting July 1, 2026, has prompted intense judicial scrutiny over how to categorize the language in which the nation's legal system operates.

"We must ensure our native linguistic heritage is prioritized in the curriculum," an official stated in English, addressing the court's concerns about the National Education Policy rollout. Under the current framework, classifying English as a "foreign" language would occupy the curriculum's single foreign language slot, effectively eliminating options like French or Japanese that traditionally provide employment opportunities for students.

While the bench deliberated on the exact constitutional threshold for indigenous status, education experts noted a more immediate logistical hurdle. The court observed that 96 percent of schools operate under state boards rather than the central system, with widespread infrastructure deficits and a severe shortage of instructors qualified to teach the newly mandated regional languages.

"The policy will be implemented smoothly by the 2026-27 academic year," a board spokesperson assured the court, clarifying that the current absence of adequate teaching infrastructure would not delay the mandatory classification of the languages students cannot yet be taught.