English Has a Bright Future in India

DESPITE THE FACT that the Central Board of Secondary Education has asked affiliated schools to map students' mother tongues "at the earliest" and align instructional materials accordingly before the end of the summer break, the English language has a bright future in the country, Alison Barrett MBE, director India, British Council, told FE.

- VIKRAM CHAUDHARY

"India's rich linguistic diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and the National Education Policy's emphasis on promoting local languages and multilingual education will help children build strong foundational literacy skills early in their educational journey," Barrett said.

"At the same time, English continues to be a global lingua franca — facilitating access to international higher education, research collaboration, and employment opportunities. In an increasingly interconnected world shaped by mobility, and digital connectivity, proficiency in English gives Indian students and professionals a competitive edge, both nationally and globally."