Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has condemned the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) introduction of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, labeling it a form of 'linguistic imposition' that prioritizes Hindi. He expressed concerns that the policy undermines regional languages and questioned why students in Hindi-speaking states are not required to learn languages like Tamil. In response, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed these accusations as politically motivated, asserting that the NEP promotes multilingualism and empowers students to excel in their mother tongues. The three-language formula is set to be implemented from Class 6 in the 2026-27 academic year, with full operationalization by 2030-31. The policy aims to enrich students' linguistic skills by mandating the study of a third language, which will be assessed in board examinations. Pradhan also addressed Stalin's concerns regarding resources and reciprocity, suggesting that the Tamil Nadu government has stalled initiatives that would benefit underprivileged students. This ongoing debate highlights the tension between regional language preservation and the central government's educational policies.