Supreme Court Orders Rajasthan to Teach Rajasthani, Citing Child’s Right under Article 19(1)(a)

Overview The Supreme Court has directed the State of Rajasthan to introduce Rajasthani as a school subject and to allow its use as a medium of instruction. The judgment rests on the premise that Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution encompasses a child’s right to receive primary education in a language of choice. Key Developments Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta held that the right to mother‑tongue education is traceable to Article 19(1)(a) . The Court reiterated that education must be imparted, "to the extent practicable," in a language the child best understands, emphasizing conceptual clarity and cognitive engagement. Reference was made to State of Karnataka v. Associated Management of English Medium Primary & Secondary Schools , which earlier held that the State cannot force a child to study in a language against their choice. The judgment criticised the State of Rajasthan for lagging behind central policy directives on mother‑tongue instruction. It ordered the state to make Rajasthani a compulsory subject in all government and private schools. Important Facts • Case title: PADAM MEHTA AND ANR. Versus THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ORS., SLP(C) No. 1425/2025 . • The petition was presented by Dr Manish Singhvi , Senior Advocate. • The Court linked the right to mother‑tongue instruction with the broader guarantee of freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) , a provision housed in Part III of the Constitution. UPSC Relevance The judgment illustrates the intersection of constitutional law, education policy, and cultural rights—core topics for GS 2 (Polity) . It underscores how the judiciary interprets fundamental rights to protect linguistic diversity, a recurring theme in questions on federalism, minority rights, and the implementation of the Right to Education. Aspirants should note the precedent set for mother‑tongue education and its linkage to freedom of speech, which may be asked in essay or case‑study formats. Way Forward State authorities must draft a curriculum framework for Rajasthani and train teachers accordingly. Implementation monitoring mechanisms should be set up to ensure compliance across both government and private schools. Further litigation may arise if the state fails to meet the timeline, providing a live example of judicial oversight of policy execution. Policy makers should align state‑level education plans with central guidelines on mother‑tongue instruction to avoid constitutional challenges.