Allow students to take exam in local languages: UGC writes to universities

The UGC is also likely to ask universities to promote the translation of original writing into local languages and use local languages in the teaching-learning process at universities.

The University Grants Commission is writing to Vice Chancellors of universities across the country requesting them to allow students to write the answers in local languages in examinations even if the programme is offered in English medium. The apex higher education regulator will also be asking universities to promote the translation of original writing in local languages and use local language in the teaching-learning process at universities.

UGC is hopeful that once teaching learning happens in the local language it will improve overall GER in higher education. “Once teaching-learning, and assessment are done in the local languages student engagement will gradually increase, leading to an increase in success rate. This will significantly strengthen the efforts of achieving the envisioned target of enhancing the GER in higher education from 27% to 50% by 2035,” says UGC Chairman.

In order to promote teaching learning in the local language, the UGC is also looking at allowing students to give examinations in the local language. Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman UGC said: “Higher education institutions play an important role in preparing textbooks and supporting the teaching-learning process in the mother tongue/local languages. It is necessary to strengthen these efforts and promote such initiatives as writing textbooks in the mother tongue/local languages and encouraging their use in teaching.”

The UGC Chairman is likely to send a letter to the vice-chancellors of all the universities in this regard.

As per the UGC Chairman, teaching in the mother tongue/local languages in Higher Education Institutions and promotion and regular use of Indian languages in education is a crucial areas of focus in the National Education Policy 2020.

The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of teaching and instruction in the mother tongue/local languages. It lays thrust on the need to optimize communication in all Indian languages for better cognitive attainment and the development of a holistic personality of the learners.

The UGC has appreciated that the teaching-learning process in local languages is also being promoted by higher education institutions/universities/colleges in every state of our country. This has benefited students, particularly the socially and economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs).

However, the academic ecosystem generally continues to be English medium centric.

The UGC is also likely to ask universities to provide details of the discipline-wise list of textbooks/reference books/study material available/used in the local languages in their institution.

It will also seek a discipline-wise list of the main topics/courses for which textbooks/reference books/study materials must be written/translated into local languages as well as discipline-wise availability of faculties/subject experts/scholars who can write or translate textbooks/reference books/study materials in local languages in your institution/university.

The UGC is also likely seek response from universities on whether the students can write answers in local languages in exams.

Read more:

• CUET 2023: More than 50% rise in female applicants, CUET UG registrations up by 41%
• Jamia conducts entrance tests for admission to various courses