The State government has directed universities to allow law students to write their examinations in either Malayalam or English, in a move aimed at expanding linguistic accessibility in higher education.
According to a government order issued on March 15, law collegesaffiliated with universities except National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) have been instructed to carry out necessary amendments to their regulations to implement the directive.
The order cites that the decision is based on petitions received by the government pressing for the use of Malayalam in examinations.
While the move is seemingly a result of pressure from the student community, it has sparked concern among legal educators in the State-run universities over its long-term implications. Objections raised by several members of Boards of Studies for Law have also brought into focus questions about the depth of stakeholder consultation prior to the decision.
Comprehensive process
However, official sources maintain that the policy was formulated after a comprehensive consultative process. On being entrusted by the government, the Kerala State Higher Education Council convened a meeting of its governing body, involving the Vice-Chancellors of all universities, which unanimously recommended the move. Later, the government sought the opinion of all universities before arriving at the decision.
The policy is also being positioned as part of a broader effort to promote the use of Malayalam in higher education and professional fields, while still preserving flexibility for students who prefer English for academic or career purposes.
Government officials have pointed out that similar provisions exist in other States such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where law students are permitted to write examinations in regional languages. However, members of law faculties in Kerala have contested these comparisons, highlighting significant inadequacies in the State’s academic ecosystem for legal education in Malayalam.
They point out that, unlike Tamil Nadu, Kerala lacks sufficient study materials in the vernacular, particularly in advanced areas such as jurisprudence. Apart from Malayalam translations of the Constitution and major criminal laws prepared by the Law department, there is a scarcity of comprehensive legal texts, including those on western laws, particularly British law, that greatly influence legal studies in India. Concerns have also been raised about the absence of robust Malayalam legal journals and research databases.
Another challenge is the need to substantially update the existing Malayalam glossary of legal terminology to support academic instruction and examination writing. Academics argue that without such groundwork, students may face difficulties in effectively articulating complex legal concepts.
Compulsory paper
Additionally, educators point out that the current medium of instruction in law colleges is English. A shift in examination language would necessitate corresponding changes in teaching practices, including the introduction of English as a compulsory paper in compliance with the Rules of Legal Education, 2008.
Legal experts also caution that many law graduates aspire to practice in the High Courts and the Supreme Court, where proceedings are conducted in English. Others pursue careers in corporate and international law, domains where English proficiency is essential. Under such circumstances, the provision to take exams in Malayalam could limit their competitive edge.
Published – March 19, 2026 06:39 pm IST
