Jamia Millia Students Struggle with English-Only Exams, Demand Hindi and Urdu Options
In New Delhi, a significant language barrier is affecting postgraduate students at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), particularly those who completed their graduation in Hindi medium. Kaif, a first-year MA Political Science student, exemplifies this issue. During his initial postgraduate examination, he spent more time translating the English question paper than formulating answers. Having graduated from a government university in Chhattisgarh with Hindi as the medium, the abrupt transition to English has severely impacted his comprehension and confidence.
Widespread Student Concerns Lead to Academic Council Discussion
Kaif is not isolated in his struggles. Numerous JMI students from Hindi-medium backgrounds are grappling with English question papers and lectures for the first time at the postgraduate level. These concerns were formally raised before the academic council, leading to a discussion on February 12. A proposal was presented to consider Hindi and Urdu as mediums of instruction and examination for postgraduate programs.
According to a document accessed by sources, the proposal highlights representations from MA Political Science students. It states that most of these students completed their graduation in Hindi, and the sudden shift to English creates difficulties in understanding questions and providing answers. The inability to attempt exams in Hindi may adversely affect performance due to language barriers.
University Rules and Practical Challenges in Implementation
University regulations stipulate that Urdu shall be the medium of instruction and examination at all educational stages, though English and Hindi can be used subject to academic council approval. In sciences, technical, and professional courses, English is mandated. At admission, applicants indicate their preferred language, but students report poor execution of this tri-language policy.
Samir, a second-year MA Political Science student, noted that while faculty sometimes use Hindi if students struggle, teaching predominantly occurs in English. Although students can technically write answers in English, Hindi, or Urdu, there are insufficient faculty members to evaluate scripts in all three languages, often forcing exams in English. Question papers are typically provided only in Hindi and English, with no robust mechanism for evaluating Urdu answer scripts within the department.
Faculty Perspectives and National Education Policy Alignment
A faculty member, speaking anonymously, explained practical hurdles. If a student writes in Urdu, answer sheets may need translation by faculty in other departments, which is not feasible for every department to have experts in all languages, especially specialized ones like Urdu. Approving the proposal would require strengthening faculty recruitment to include subject-matter experts proficient in all three languages.
The proposal aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), which promotes using Indian languages, mother tongues, or regional languages as mediums of instruction to enhance understanding, reduce cognitive strain, and boost inclusivity. JMI has already implemented the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) from 2024-25 per NEP guidelines, with postgraduate programs set to follow from 2026-27. The document emphasizes that NEP encourages higher education institutions to offer programs in local languages or bilingually to increase access.
Administrative Response and Future Implications
When approached for comment, the Dean of Social Sciences directed queries to the university's media coordinator, who declined to respond. If approved, the proposal would mark a significant policy shift, potentially improving academic outcomes for students facing language barriers and fostering a more inclusive educational environment at JMI.
