Sanskrit can remain third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas: HRD Ministry tells Supreme Court

The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that Sanskrit or any modern Indian language could be the third language in VI-VIII classes in this academic year in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV), and that to ensure students are not put under stress, there would be no examination for Sanskrit.

Human Resource Developments (HRD) ministry also informed the court that students pursuing German could continue studying that language in addition to Sanskrit.

Appearing for the Centre, Attorney General (AG) Mukul Rohatgi furnished a letter issued by the ministry, and told the bench of justices Anil R Dave and Kurian Joseph about the government's proposition.

"As per the decision of the KV Sangathan Board on October 27, students who are presently studying German as third language have the choice to study either Sanskrit or any other modern Indian language as the third language in classes VI-VIII. These children may continue their studies of German as an additional subject," the letter said.

He told the court that Parliament had supported the government on implementing the decision in the current academic year.

A decision has been taken in view of the concern expressed by the court earlier, and to ensure that no stress is caused to students, "there will be no examination in this academic session for those students studying Sanskrit or any other modern Indian language as the third language now in place of German for the remaining part of the current academic year.

The bench, which fixed the matter for Monday for a final order, observed: "If there is no examination there is no stress on the child. What is wrong if the child is studying Sanskrit in addition to German."