TAMIL NADU WRITES ITS OWN SCRIPT: EDUCATION POLICY 2025 DEFIES NEP, CHAMPIONS EQUITY AND CULTURE

 

Rejecting the Centre’s three-language formula, the state unveils a two-language, future-ready education blueprint rooted in social justice, equity, cultural pride, and 100% higher education enrolment goals.

1. Introduction and Context

Tamil Nadu launched its own State Education Policy (SEP) in August 2025 as a clear alternative to the Centre’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). The policy is rooted in Tamil Nadu’s unique cultural, linguistic, and social context. A 14-member committee led by retired Justice D. Murugesan developed the policy over nearly three years. It represents a significant and assertive stride by the state to chart its own educational future, distinct from the Central government's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, this policy emphasizes Tamil Nadu's commitment to its cultural identity and social justice legacy by maintaining the Tamil-English two-language formula and rejecting the NEP’s three-language mandate considered by many in the state as an imposition of Hindi. With a strong focus on critical thinking, equity, and inclusion, the policy sets ambitious goals such as achieving 100% higher education enrolment, integrating smart classrooms, vocational guidance, and digital literacy while fostering a curriculum grounded in local heritage and contemporary skills. It aims to create safe, inclusive, and future-ready schools that nurture every child's potential with dignity and confidence, responding to both historical achievements and emerging challenges like digital divides and post-pandemic learning gaps.

This policy stands out by promoting an education system deeply rooted in Tamil culture and language, advocating for experiential, competency-based learning over rote memorization, and prioritizing social justice for marginalized communities. It reflects a firm rejection of the NEP’s three-language formula and centralized examinations. Strong infrastructural reforms including smart classrooms, barrier-free access, and expanded digital connectivity underpin the state’s vision for modern education. Importantly, the State Education Policy 2025 explicitly positions itself as an egalitarian, inclusive alternative to the NEP, rejecting what it perceives as commercialized and regressive elements of the NEP, particularly regarding language imposition and high-stakes testing. It reinscribes Tamil Nadu’s educational autonomy and sets a blueprint integrating cultural pride with 21st-century skills, technological literacy, and environmental awareness. By positioning schools as vibrant spaces for intellectual and social growth and emphasizing career readiness alongside academic achievement, the policy aligns education with both global competitiveness and local identity. In sum:

2. Key Features of  SEP 2025

Language Policy

• Adopts a two-language formula mandating Tamil and English from Class I to X across all boards (government, private, CBSE, ICSE).
• Rejects NEP’s three-language formula, which includes Hindi, seen by Tamil Nadu as Hindi imposition.
• Emphasizes the importance of preserving Tamil as a cultural cornerstone while promoting global communication skills.

Curriculum and Pedagogy

• Moves away from rote learning to focus on critical thinking, creativity, and analytical skills.
• Inclusion of physical education alongside academics for holistic development.
• Curriculum redesigned to be competency-based, experiential, and inquiry-driven.
• Incorporates Tamil Nadu’s local heritage, environmental literacy, and social-emotional learning.
• Structured push on 21st-century skills including science, artificial intelligence (AI), digital literacy, financial literacy, and global citizenship.
• Introduction of mandatory local modules like “Know My Village,” “Know My City,” and “Know My State” to build geographical and cultural knowledge.

Assessment and Examinations

• Scraps board exams for Class 11 immediately; public exams for Classes 3, 5, and 8 are opposed as regressive.
• Undergraduate admissions for arts and science courses will be based on consolidated Class 11 and 12 marks, abandoning common entrance tests.
• Aims to reduce student stress and mental health issues related to examination burden.

Enrollment and Equity

• Ambitious goal of achieving 100% higher education enrollment for students completing Plus Two, up from current 72%.
• Focuses on social equity with special provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, first-generation learners, and children with special needs.
• Promotes inclusive education and barrier-free school infrastructure.

Infrastructure and Technology

• Plans to modernize schools into future-ready learning centers with smart classrooms, digital tools, science and computer labs.
• Aims for 100% digital access through expanded connectivity and affordable internet, especially in rural areas.
• Supports enhanced digital literacy programs for students, teachers, and parents.
• Flagship programs include Kalvi TV, Manarkeni App, and TN-SPARK (AI and robotics-focused).

Governance and Autonomy

• Advocates for education to be brought back under the State List (from Concurrent List) to gain greater control over policy and implementation.
• Emphasizes maintaining autonomy in education reflecting Tamil Nadu’s culture and social fabric.

 

3. Differences from National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

Aspect Tamil Nadu Education Policy 2025 National Education Policy 2020 Language Formula Two-language formula: Tamil and English only Three-language formula including Hindi as a key option Starting Age of Formal Schooling 5 years 6 years Public Examinations No public exams for Classes 3, 5, 8; no board exam for Class 11 Public exams for Classes 3, 5, and 8; board exams for 10, 12 Entrance Exams for UG Based on consolidated Class 11 and 12 marks Common entrance tests encouraged (e.g., NEET) Governance Advocates education under State List for greater autonomy Education under Concurrent List Emphasis on Hindi Rejects Hindi imposition Pushes Hindi learning as part of three-language formula Equity Focus Strong emphasis on inclusion, social justice, barrier-free access Also mentions equity but with different frameworks

This comprehensive outline captures the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy 2025’s unique approach tailored to its socio-cultural context, its contrasts to the NEP, its potential benefits, and areas for critique.

Here are  infographics following the visually summarized key points of the Tamil Nadu Education Policy 2025:

3.1. Comparison of Language Policies: Tamil Nadu Two-Language Formula vs NEP Three-Language Formula

This infographic highlights Tamil Nadu’s firm adoption of Tamil and English only, rejecting Hindi, while NEP includes Hindi as the third language.

Comparison of Tamil Nadu's Two-Language Formula vs NEP's Three-Language Formula

 

3.2. Target Increase in Higher Education Enrollment

Shows the ambitious goal to increase Tamil Nadu’s higher education enrollment from 72% to 100% for students completing Plus Two, reflecting a major education expansion.

Target increase in higher education enrollment in Tamil Nadu. 

 

 

 

3.3. Examination System Changes: Tamil Nadu Policy vs NEP 2020

This flowchart compares the restructuring of exams under Tamil Nadu’s policy, scrapping Class 11 board exams and opposing public exams for Classes 3, 5, and 8, unlike NEP’s continued emphasis on these exams.

Comparison of examination systems: Tamil Nadu Education Policy vs NEP 2020. 

 

3.4. Key Features of Tamil Nadu State Education Policy 2025

An icon-based summary of the major components: two-language policy (Tamil and English), shift to competency-based curriculum, enhanced digital access, and strong equity/inclusion focus.

Key Features of Tamil Nadu State Education Policy 2025. 

 

3.5. Digital and Infrastructure Initiatives

Illustrates Tamil Nadu’s plans to modernize education through smart classrooms, digital labs, increased internet connectivity, and digital literacy programs targeting students, teachers, and parents.

Digital and Infrastructure Initiatives in Tamil Nadu Education Policy 2025. 

 

These infographics provide a clear visual overview of Tamil Nadu’s distinctive approach to education policy, its goals for accessibility and equity, and its emphasis on cultural identity and future-ready skills.

 

4. Core elements of SEP 2025 in the areas of  curriculum, digital infrastructure, and equity are :

Curriculum

• Shift away from rote memorization towards fostering critical thinking, creativity, and analytical skills.
• Redesigned to be competency-based, experiential, and inquiry-driven, reducing content overload and deepening conceptual understanding.
• Integration of local heritage, environmental literacy, and social-emotional learning.
• Emphasis on 21st-century skills such as science, artificial intelligence (AI), digital literacy, financial literacy, and global citizenship.
• Mandatory local modules like “Know My Village,” “Know My City,” and “Know My State” to enhance students’ connection with their immediate environment.
• Inclusion of physical education as part of holistic student development.
• Undergraduate admissions aimed to be based on consolidated marks from Classes 11 and 12, removing common entrance tests and reducing examination stress.

Digital Infrastructure

• Commitment to building future-ready schools featuring smart classrooms, digital tools, and well-equipped science and computer labs.
• Plans for 100% digital access by expanding school internet connectivity and making affordable internet available in rural areas.
• Enhancement of digital literacy programs targeting students, teachers, and parents to ensure inclusive, technology-enabled education.
• Launch of flagship initiatives such as Kalvi TV, Manarkeni App, and TN-SPARK to promote learning in AI, robotics, and digital competence.

Equity

• Strong focus on social justice and educational equity, targeting support for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, first-generation learners, and children with special needs.
• Implementation of inclusive curricula and barrier-free school infrastructure to provide equal learning opportunities.
• Special scholarships, targeted mentoring, and programs aimed at reducing dropout rates and encouraging completion of education.
• The policy aims for 100% higher education enrollment, significantly raising educational access and opportunity for all sections of society.

These core elements reflect Tamil Nadu’s commitment to a culturally rooted, technologically advanced, and socially inclusive education system designed to prepare students for a competitive and equitable future.

 

5. Tamil Nadu’s exam system reform sharply contrasts with the NEP 2020’s emphasis on public examinations at multiple early stages

• NEP 2020 introduces mandatory public board exams in Classes 3, 5, and 8 to ensure regular assessments and track foundational learning. This is part of a broader emphasis on early standardized evaluations to diagnose learning levels and promote accountability.
• Tamil Nadu’s State Education Policy (SEP) 2025 completely scraps public exams for Classes 3, 5, and 8, advocating instead for automatic promotion till Class 10 with no fail system during these years. It also abolishes the Class 11 board exam. The Tamil Nadu government argues that early exams induce stress, fear, and commercialisation of education, which can lead to higher dropout rates and mental health issues among students.

Thus, Tamil Nadu’s exam policy prioritizes reducing student stress, mental health concerns, and dropout rates by avoiding early high-stakes exams, whereas NEP 2020 emphasizes regular public examinations at foundational stages as a means to improve learning outcomes through assessment and remediation.

This difference reflects divergent educational philosophies: NEP favors frequent assessment for learning accountability, while Tamil Nadu stresses a more inclusive, stress-free approach promoting student retention and well-being.

Additionally, Tamil Nadu rejects NEP’s push for common entrance exams (such as NEET) for undergraduate admissions, opting instead for evaluation based on consolidated marks from Classes 11 and 12, further signaling its opposition to centralized testing regimes.

 

6. Key differences between SEP 2025 exam reforms and the NEP 2020’s examination system emphasis

 

Aspect	Tamil Nadu Education Policy 2025	National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Public Exams for Early Grades	Completely scraps public exams for Classes 3, 5, and 8. Advocates automatic promotion up to Class 10 with a no-fail policy to reduce stress and dropout rates.	Introduces mandatory public exams in Classes 3, 5, and 8 to assess foundational learning, diagnose gaps, and promote accountability.
Class 11 Board Exams	Abolishes Class 11 board exams immediately to ease exam pressure on students.	Continues with Class 11 board or school-level exams as part of progressive assessment.
Board Exams for Classes 10 and 12	Retains Class 10 and Class 12 exams, but emphasizes reducing burden by removing consecutive yearly board exams.	Continues board exams for Classes 10 and 12 as critical academic milestones.
Examination Philosophy	Prioritizes student mental health, reducing stress, and preventing dropout by minimizing high-stakes exams early. Views early exams as potential causes of fear, anxiety, and commercialization of education.	Emphasizes regular standardized assessments as tools for ensuring learning outcomes, identifying learning gaps, and improving education quality.
Undergraduate Admissions Testing	Rejects NEP’s emphasis on common entrance examinations (e.g., NEET) for UG admissions. Proposes UG admissions based solely on consolidated marks of Classes 11 and 12 for arts and science courses.	Encourages common entrance exams as merit-based standardized tools for UG admissions in many professional and technical fields.
Rationale for Exam System	Believes removing early public exams fosters a more inclusive, equitable, and student-friendly learning environment, aligned with Tamil Nadu's social justice values.	Views frequent public exams as essential for academic accountability, transparency, and uniformity in education standards across India.
Policy Context	Defies the NEP recommendation as part of protecting Tamil Nadu’s linguistic, cultural identity, and educational autonomy. The state’s policy is crafted to address local socio-political concerns and drop-out rates.	NEP aims for a nationally cohesive education framework with standardized assessment and language policies to streamline educational quality and mobility across states.

 

This comparison highlights the profound differences in exam-related policies, reflecting fundamentally contrasting educational philosophies — Tamil Nadu’s focus on mental well-being and equity versus the NEP’s emphasis on regular standardized assessment and accountability.

Here is a visual infographic presenting a clear comparison of Tamil Nadu’s Education Policy 2025 exam reforms versus the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 examination system emphasis. The infographic also highlights key contextual points related to language policy and UG admissions for a comprehensive snapshot:

 

7. SEP 2025 vs NEP 2020: Examination and Language Policy Comparison

Aspect	Tamil Nadu Education Policy 2025	National Education Policy 2020 (NEP)
Language Formula	Two-language formula: Tamil and English only	Three-language formula: Hindi + English + Regional language
Public Exams for Early Grades	No public exams in Classes 3, 5, 8; automatic promotion with no fail till Class 10	Mandatory public exams in Classes 3, 5, and 8 for foundational assessment
Class 11 Exams	Abolished to reduce student stress and exam burden	Retained as part of progressive assessment
Board Exams for Classes 10 & 12	Retained, but stress on reducing consecutive yearly exams	Retained as academic milestones
Examination Philosophy	Focus on reducing stress and dropout rates by avoiding early high-stakes exams	Focus on regular assessments for accountability and learning outcomes
Undergraduate Admissions	Based on consolidated marks from Classes 11 and 12; no common entrance exams (e.g., NEET rejected for arts, science courses)	Common entrance exams encouraged for UG admissions like NEET
Education Autonomy	Advocates bringing education to State List for policy control	Education remains in Concurrent List with Central-State control
Rationale	Protects linguistic identity, promotes equity and mental well-being	Seeks standardization and quality assurance nationwide

 

This comparison captures the clear philosophical and practical distinctions between Tamil Nadu’s more localized, equity-focused approach and the NEP’s centralized, standardized approach to examinations and language policy.

8. Benefits of SEP

• Preserves Tamil language and culture while equipping students with global competencies.
• Reduces linguistic imposition and socio-political tensions related to the three-language policy.
• Enhances mental well-being by reducing examination pressure.
• Promotes equity and inclusion, aiming for universal access to higher education.
• Strong focus on technology and future-ready skills prepares students for the digital economy.
• Tailors education to local needs, making learning more relevant and engaging.
• Commitment to holistic development through physical education and creative learning.

The Policy’s Initiatives and Unique Features are:

• Two vs. Three Language Formula Comparison: Tamil Nadu’s two-language approach vs. NEP’s three-language approach, with emphasis on languages involved and rationale.
• Enrollment Rate Goals: There is increase from 72% to 100% higher education enrollment target.
• Examination System Changes: Format of exam changes under Tamil Nadu policy vs. NEP.
• Key Policy Features Overview: Highlighting language policy, curriculum reform, digital access, equity & inclusion.
• Digital and Infrastructure Push: smart classrooms, digital labs, and access programs.

9. A Critique of SEP

Strengths

• Bold stand protecting state’s linguistic identity and cultural heritage.
• Addresses mental health concerns linked to excessive examinations.
• Visionary inclusion of AI, technology, and digital literacy.
• Ambitious targets for higher education enrollment with realistic approaches.
• Inclusive policies to support marginalized groups.

Weaknesses and Concerns

• Critics argue that rejecting the three-language formula may limit students’ ability to learn Hindi, which is seen as a pan-Indian language that could provide wider communication and employment opportunities.
• The policy’s categorization of schools into model schools and schools of excellence may risk creating divisions and inequalities within the education system.
• Withholding of central funds due to non-adoption of NEP could affect implementation capacity.
• Some perceive the policy as politically driven, potentially fostering "state egoism" or isolationism.
• Lack of a common framework with other states may affect student mobility across India.

 

10.  Conclusion: Other States can Emulate and Adapt

In conclusion, the Tamil Nadu Education Policy 2025 reflects the state's unique socio-political and linguistic context and its determination to preserve cultural identity while advancing educational equity and excellence. By rejecting the NEP’s three-language formula and centralized mandates, Tamil Nadu asserts its educational sovereignty, focusing on a two-language system that respects linguistic sensibilities and prioritizes social justice.

The policy’s comprehensive approach—from foundational learning reforms and inclusive pedagogy to state-of-the-art infrastructure and digital integration—illustrates an innovative model that balances tradition with modernity. With ambitious targets such as universal higher education enrolment and an emphasis on rational, critical thinking skills, the policy offers a forward-looking yet culturally grounded vision. Tamil Nadu thus charts a path that could inspire other states valuing linguistic diversity and regional autonomy, reinforcing the principle that education policies must be context-sensitive to truly empower and uplift learners.

 (Courtesy: The infographics are AI assisted)