Supreme Court asks Tamil Nadu to comply with order to identify land for Navodaya schools

On Thursday, the Supreme Court urged the Tamil Nadu government to comply with its directive to identify land for setting up Navodaya schools across all districts. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and A G Masih also called for dialogue between the Centre and state to address issues like language policy, funding, etc. Justice Nagarathna emphasized that Navodaya schools would bolster Tamil Nadu's education network and offer additional opportunities for students.

She stated, "We are not alienating you and we are not alienating them. Some more type of schools come in your state also which will only enhance the high standard which we are aware of. This is not going to lower your standards." The court was hearing a challenge to a September 11, 2017, Madras High Court order that required the state to identify suitable land and buildings for the schools.

The Supreme Court had asked the state to identify the land by December 15, 2025, but the Tamil Nadu government sought a recall of the order, to which the court granted a three-month deadline for compliance. Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the state, expressed concerns over the language policy, specifically the teaching of Hindi as the predominant language in higher classes.

However, Justice Nagarathna noted that several schools in Tamil Nadu already teach Hindi and suggested that the state reconsider its stance. The judge added that differences in this regard could be resolved through discussions. The state argued that the Centre had not released the Rs 5,000 crore promised for education, but the government countered that all expenses would be shouldered by the Centre except for the land, which would be provided by the state.