No Takers for Engineering Seats in Regional Languages: Will Hindi-Medium Medical Education Be Successful?

On Hindi Diwas (September 14), both the Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh governments announced the introduction of Hindi as a medium of instruction in their medical colleges starting from the 2024-25 academic session. Rajasthan will implement this change in phases, beginning with Sampurnanand Medical College of Jodhpur and Medical College of Barmer under Marwar Medical University.This move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to promote regional languages in education, aiming to help students from rural and tribal backgrounds better understand complex medical subjects. Chhattisgarh's initiative similarly aims to strengthen foundational understanding in its 10 government medical colleges.
However, a similar initiative in Uttar Pradesh, announced in November 2023, did not fare well among medical professionals. Despite aiming to support students from rural backgrounds proficient in Hindi, the decision drew significant criticism. According to media reports, similar initiatives in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh also faced flak.
The introduction of Hindi-medium medical education in Chhattisgarh from the 2024-25 academic session raises an important question: Will this initiative follow the same path as regional language engineering courses that saw low enrollments, or will it find success among aspiring medical professionals?
Engineering in Regional Languages: A Sorry State of Affairs
While the intentions behind introducing Hindi-medium medical education seem promising, the experience with regional language engineering courses offers a cautionary perspective. According to media reports, several states, including West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka, have discontinued their regional language engineering programmes due to low or zero enrollments. In West Bengal alone, no students enrolled in regional language programmes last year.
Data from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) shows that out of 2,580 seats approved across 35 institutes in 13 states for regional language engineering courses, only 65 per cent were filled. This failure can be attributed to a perceived stigma surrounding non-English professional education, as well as limited career prospects and industry acceptance.
Role of Language in Professional Education
One of the major concerns for Hindi-medium medical education is whether students will be able to compete on a global scale. In an interaction with Education Times, medical experts argue that while Hindi-medium education might be easier for students in the short term, it could limit their growth in the long run. Dr. Sanjay Teotia, a senior consultant at Balrampur Hospital in Lucknow, pointed out in an interaction with Education Times that medical students must read and interpret international research papers, which are predominantly published in English. He believes that Hindi-medium students may face difficulties when preparing for higher exams like NEET-PG, where English remains the primary medium.
According to another Education Times report, education counsellor Anuj Goyal also echoed this sentiment, noting that Hindi-medium students may face challenges during internships or exchange programmes abroad, where proficiency in English is crucial.
The NEP 2020 and Regional Language Education
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages the use of regional languages in education, supports Chhattisgarh’s move. The policy promotes the idea that learning in one’s native language fosters a better connection between students and teachers. This could lead to a deeper understanding of subjects, especially for students from rural or underprivileged backgrounds who may not have strong English language skills.
However, as seen with engineering programmes, awareness and acceptance of regional language education remains the key challenges. According to media reports, some students and parents perceive regional language programmes as inferior, which can negatively impact enrollment numbers and the reputation of institutions.
Will Hindi-Medium Medical Education Succeed?
The success of Hindi-medium medical education in Chhattisgarh will depend on several factors. First, there must be a concerted effort to overcome the stigma attached to non-English education. Second, there needs to be industry acceptance of medical graduates educated in Hindi. As Dr. Yogender Malik of the National Medical Commission told Education Times, offering education in regional languages is necessary for inclusivity, but students must eventually adapt to English for higher studies and professional success.
The Road Ahead for Hindi-Medium Medical Education
While the move to introduce Hindi-medium medical education is a step toward inclusivity and regional language promotion, its success remains uncertain. The challenges faced by regional language engineering courses may repeat in medical education unless proper measures are taken to raise awareness, ensure industry acceptance, and provide pathways for students to transition to English when necessary. The next few years will reveal whether this initiative can thrive where others have struggled.