Overview
- The Supreme Court, which ruled Tuesday, directed Rajasthan to draft a time‑bound plan to teach Rajasthani in every government and private school and to phase it in as a medium of instruction starting in early grades.
- The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta set a compliance affidavit deadline of September 25, 2026, with a follow‑up hearing on September 30, 2026.
- Rejecting the state's claim that only Eighth Schedule languages can be taught, the Court noted Rajasthani already has university‑level courses and explained that the Eighth Schedule lists official languages but does not bar school instruction in others.
- Citing Articles 19(1)(a), 21A and 350A, the Right to Education Act, and the National Education Policy 2020, the Court said children have a right to education in a language they understand, especially in foundational years, to secure real access and learning.
- The judges declined to reopen the concluded REET‑2021 teacher exam issue, and the decision may guide other states facing similar demands as Rajasthan weighs long‑standing calls for recognition of a language spoken by tens of millions.