Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s State Education (SEP) Policies 2025

On August 8, 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy (SEP) 2025 at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, marking a historic milestone as the first Indian state to introduce a comprehensive education policy as an alternative to the Centre’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Following closely, Karnataka submitted its SEP report on August 9, 2025, crafted by a commission led by Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat, with contributions from educationist, like Prof. Arun C. Mehta & others as a Task Force member. These state-led initiatives signal a growing movement toward educational autonomy, raising critical questions about the future of NEP 2020, Samagra Shiksha funding, and the role of the Concurrent List in shaping India’s school education landscape. This article explores these developments, emphasizing their implications for universal school education, equity, and data-driven planning, in alignment with the mission of Education for All in India.

Tamil Nadu State Education Policy 2025: Major Findings & Deviations from NEP 2020 

Karnataka State Education Policy 2025: Major Findings & Deviations from NEP 2020

Tamil Nadu’s SEP 2025: A Model for Equitable School Education

The Tamil Nadu SEP, developed by a 14-member panel chaired by retired Chief Justice D. Murugesan, prioritizes social justice, linguistic identity, and inclusive school education, rejecting aspects of the NEP perceived as imposing Hindi and undermining equity. Key features include:

• Bilingual Policy: Reinforces Tamil and English as the core languages, rejecting the NEP’s three-language formula to preserve Tamil identity.
• No Public Exams for Class XI: Eliminates high-stakes exams to reduce stress and promote continuous assessment and critical thinking.
• Equity and Inclusion: Targets marginalized groups (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, and first-generation learners) through scholarships, hostels, and barrier-free infrastructure.
• Foundational Learning: The Ennum Ezhuthum Mission ensures literacy and numeracy by Class 3, addressing rural and tribal learning gaps, in line with the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009.
• Digital and Infrastructure Development: Initiatives like Kalvi TV, the Manarkeni app, and smart classrooms bridge digital divides, with sustainable school infrastructure and teacher training.
• Higher Education Transition: Achieves 75% enrollment of Class 12 government school graduates in higher education in 2025, aiming for 100%, with 901 students admitted to 93 premier institutions, including 27 to IITs.

Karnataka’s SEP: A Transformative Vision 

Karnataka’s SEP, submitted on August 9, 2025, to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was developed by a 17-member commission under Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat, supported by 35 task forces, including one on school structure mapping where Prof. Arun C. Mehta, an educationist and former NIEPA professor, played a pivotal role. Prof. Mehta, known for elevating the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) to official statistics status, contributed data-driven insights to align Karnataka’s SEP with local needs. The 2,197-page report proposes:

• Two-Language Formula: Mandates Kannada or the mother tongue alongside English, prioritizing local languages up to Class 12.
• Localized Curriculum: Replaces NCERT textbooks with a Comprehensive Curriculum for School Education (CCSE) tailored to Karnataka’s socio-cultural context.
• Structural Reform: Adopts a 2+8+4 model (two years pre-primary, eight years primary, four years secondary), extending RTE coverage to ages 4–18.
• Budget Commitment: Allocates 30% of the state budget to education, aiming to raise government school standards to Kendriya Vidyalaya levels.
• Inclusive Measures: Introduces residential schools for migrant children, universal secondary education, and Constitutional Values Education as a compulsory subject.

The SEP, set for implementation in 2025–26, reflects extensive stakeholder engagement, with 379 experts contributing through 132 task force meetings. Prof. Mehta’s expertise in UDISE+ data analysis ensured evidence-based recommendations, particularly in addressing enrollment and dropout challenges.

Other States’ Efforts in Policy Formulation

Beyond Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, several states are resisting the NEP’s uniform framework, prioritizing regional needs:

• Kerala: Rejects the NEP, focusing on its progressive education model to maintain high literacy and equity, though a formal SEP commission is not yet confirmed.
• West Bengal: Resists the NEP’s three-language policy to preserve Bengali, exploring localized curricula without a formalized SEP commission.
• Punjab and Andhra Pradesh: Express concerns about the NEP’s one-size-fits-all approach, with discussions on state-specific frameworks but no formal commissions as of August 2025.

These efforts reflect a broader movement toward educational autonomy, inspired by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s models.

The Fate of NEP 2020

The NEP 2020, launched on July 29, 2020, aims to transform India’s education system by 2040 through a 5+3+3+4 structure, a three-language policy, and flexible academic pathways. However, resistance from states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala highlights its challenges in diverse contexts. Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the NEP as a revival of the controversial Kula Kalvi scheme, while Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cited inadequate consultation and infrastructural barriers. The growing adoption of state-specific policies suggests that the NEP’s uniform framework may face fragmented implementation, particularly in non-Hindi-speaking regions. Nonetheless, its emphasis on foundational literacy, vocational education, and digital integration may influence state policies indirectly, as seen in Tamil Nadu’s Ennum Ezhuthum Mission. The NEP’s success depends on the Centre addressing state concerns through flexible guidelines and collaborative federalism. Source:,

Impact on Samagra Shiksha Funding

The Samagra Shiksha Scheme, launched in 2018 to support universal school education, is central to Centre-state tensions. Tamil Nadu’s Supreme Court plea in May 2025 alleges that the Centre withheld ₹2,200 crore due to the state’s refusal to adopt the NEP and PM SHRI Schools Scheme, calling it “unconstitutional, arbitrary, and illegal.” Karnataka’s SEP also advocates for increased state funding (30% of the budget) to reduce reliance on central schemes. Such disputes could disrupt infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, and enrollment drives, disproportionately affecting marginalized students. Prof. Mehta’s UDISE+ analyses, including reports like Decoding UDISE+ 2021-22 Enrolment Ratios, emphasize the need for consistent funding to achieve universal education by 2030. A favourable Supreme Court ruling could compel the Centre to release funds without NEP conditions, benefiting non-compliant states. Source:,

The Concurrent List and Federal Dynamics

Education was shifted to the Concurrent List under the 42nd Amendment (1976), enabling both the Centre and states to legislate, balancing national coherence with regional autonomy. Tamil Nadu’s CM Stalin and Karnataka’s leadership have called for returning education to the State List, arguing that centralized control stifles local needs. No formal shift has occurred as of August 2025, but state-led SEPs effectively challenge the Centre’s dominance. This trend may spark broader discussions on federalism, potentially influencing future constitutional amendments. Source:

Data-Driven Planning

Both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s SEPs align with the data-driven approach championed by Prof. Arun C. Mehta, whose 40-year tenure at NIEPA transformed India’s Educational Management Information System (EMIS). As a Task Force member for Karnataka’s SEP, Prof. Mehta leveraged UDISE+ data to map school structures, ensuring evidence-based reforms. His work, including publications like The State of Muslim Education in India and UDISE+ 2021-22 Report, underscores the importance of disaggregated data for equity. UDISE+ reveals challenges like primary-level inefficiencies, which Tamil Nadu’s Ennum Ezhuthum Mission and Karnataka’s CCSE address. Prof. Mehta’s contributions ensure that state policies are grounded in robust data, advancing universal school education.

Implications for Universal School Education

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s SEPs prioritize equity, cultural identity, and localized curricula, aligning with the RTE Act 2009’s mandate for free and compulsory education for ages 6-14. Key challenges include:

• Centre-State Tensions: Funding disputes could delay reforms, impacting marginalized students.
• Implementation Capacity: Robust infrastructure, teacher training, and monitoring are critical for success.
• National Coherence: Fragmented state policies risk uneven standards, necessitating federal dialogue.

These policies offer a roadmap for other states, leveraging UDISE+ data to address local needs while pursuing universal education.

Concluding Observations

The Tamil Nadu SEP 2025 and Karnataka’s SEP, supported by Prof. Arun C. Mehta’s expertise, represent a paradigm shift toward state-led, equitable school education. As Kerala, West Bengal, and others explore similar paths, the NEP 2020 faces challenges in achieving nationwide adoption. Resolving Samagra Shiksha funding disputes and navigating Concurrent List dynamics are critical for equitable outcomes. For stakeholders at Education for All in India, these reforms, grounded in UDISE+ data and Prof. Mehta’s legacy, offer a blueprint for achieving universal school education tailored to India’s diverse needs.