Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{189889,
        author = {Tejaswi Srivastava and Dr. Jyoti Kumari},
        title = {The 'English Obsession' In Indian Education : Colonial legacy or Modern necessity?},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {1093-1097},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=189889},
        abstract = {This paper explores the "English Obsession" in Indian education, examining whether it is a colonial legacy, a modern necessity, or a complex blend of both. Historically, the introduction of English during the British colonial era was a strategic move to generate a class of English-speaking individuals, which marginalized vernacular languages and created a bilingual elite. However, in contemporary India, English has transformed into a gateway of opportunity. It is the dominant instructional language in Indian education and a significant factor in primary and secondary schooling, especially in private institutions. Parents and students are fixated on English-medium education, viewing it as a path to social mobility, better employment, and global participation. Proficiency in English is essential for accessing international higher education, securing jobs in multinational corporations, and obtaining global scholarships. While the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes multilingualism and the preservation of regional languages, the overwhelming dominance of English often leads to the marginalization of mother tongues and a focus on rote learning over genuine comprehension. The study argues that while English is a practical requirement for global engagement, its dominance should be balanced with robust support for India's multilingual heritage to ensure equitable educational outcomes and cultural sustainability.},
        keywords = {English obsession, colonial legacy, modern necessity, Indian education, multilingualism, language policy, social mobility, cultural sustainability, globalization, vernacular languages.},
        month = {January},
        }