The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has formally urged the Union Railway Ministry to permit the use of the Kannada language in recruitment and promotion examinations conducted by the Bengaluru railway division. The authority has also called for a thorough inquiry into recent exams and their subsequent re-conduct.
Official Letter Highlights Language Concern
In a significant move, KDA Chairman P R Bilimale addressed a detailed letter to the concerned railway minister, expressing serious concerns. The letter, dated 21 December 2025, specifically highlights issues with the recent recruitment and promotion tests administered by the South Western Railway's Bengaluru division.
Bilimale's communication underscores the administrative and cultural necessity of including Kannada as a medium for these critical examinations. The argument centers on the principle that conducting exams in the local language within Karnataka's capital is essential for fair access to government jobs and for upholding the state's linguistic identity.
Core Demands: Inquiry and Re-examination
The KDA's appeal is not limited to a future policy change. It has made two concrete demands regarding the examinations that have already taken place. Firstly, the authority has sought an immediate and transparent inquiry into the recent exams. Secondly, based on the findings of such an inquiry, it has pushed for the re-conduct of these examinations with Kannada as an available option.
This stance indicates the KDA's view that the exclusion of Kannada potentially disadvantaged a significant number of local candidates. The move is seen as part of a broader effort to ensure the implementation of language rights in public sector employment within the state.
Implications for Recruitment and Policy
The KDA's intervention could have major implications for how the Indian Railways, a central government entity, conducts its staffing processes in linguistic regions. If accepted, the demand would set a precedent for incorporating regional languages in departmental exams beyond just Bengaluru.
The development has sparked discussions among language activists and job aspirants in Karnataka. It brings to the fore the ongoing debate about balancing administrative uniformity with regional linguistic accommodation in a diverse country. The Railway Ministry's response to this demand from a statutory body like the KDA is now keenly awaited.
