Understanding the New Bilingual Directive for Law Examinations in Kerala

In a significant shift for legal education in Kerala, the state government has issued a directive mandating universities to provide bilingual options—Malayalam or English—for law examinations in affiliated colleges. This Government Order (GO), dated March 15, 2026, responds to persistent student petitions advocating for greater accessibility in mother-tongue expression during assessments. The move aligns with broader national efforts under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to promote multilingualism in higher education, ensuring students from diverse linguistic backgrounds can demonstrate their knowledge without language barriers.

Currently, the medium of instruction in most Kerala law colleges remains English, as per the Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules of Legal Education, 2008, which require English as a compulsory subject. However, this new policy allows flexibility in answer scripts, marking a departure from rigid English-only evaluations. Implementation is set to begin from the next academic year, 2026-27, affecting semester exams and other assessments in undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.

Historical Context and UGC's Role in Regional Language Promotion

Kerala's journey toward integrating regional languages in higher education gained momentum following the University Grants Commission (UGC)'s April 2023 guidelines. The UGC urged all higher education institutions (HEIs) across India to permit students to write exams in their mother tongue or local language, even for courses taught in English, to enhance comprehension and equity. This was a proactive step to address disparities faced by non-English medium students, particularly in technical and professional fields like law.

In Kerala, the state higher education department acted on this in November 2025 with a broader directive allowing Malayalam answers for all undergraduate and postgraduate exams across eight major universities, excluding language-specific papers. The law-specific extension builds on this, prompted by the Kerala State Higher Education Council's (KSHEC) unanimous recommendation after consultations with vice-chancellors. Earlier, in July 2025, KSHEC had cleared a proposal specifically for law students, reflecting growing advocacy from groups like Malayalam Aikyavedi.

This policy resonates with Kerala's linguistic heritage, where Malayalam serves as the official language, reinforced by recent legislation like the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025. As district courts increasingly use Malayalam for proceedings, aligning legal education with vernacular practice becomes crucial for practical training.

Scope: Universities and Law Colleges Impacted

The directive targets all Kerala universities with affiliated law colleges, excluding the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi, which operates autonomously. Key institutions include:

• University of Kerala (affiliates multiple government and aided law colleges in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts)
• Mahatma Gandhi (MG) University, Kottayam (oversees colleges in central Kerala)
• University of Calicut (covers northern districts like Kozhikode and Malappuram)
• Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi
• Kannur University (northern Kerala colleges)

Kerala boasts around 20 law colleges offering 3-year LLB, 5-year integrated BA LLB/BBA LLB, and LLM programs, with annual enrollment exceeding 3,000 students. Government colleges like Government Law College, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram lead admissions via the Kerala Law Entrance Exam (KLEE), conducted in English. This policy does not alter KLEE's medium but applies to university-conducted semester exams.

Student Perspectives: Empowerment Through Mother Tongue

For many law students, especially from rural or non-English medium backgrounds, this change promises relief. "Expressing nuanced legal arguments in a non-native language often leads to lower scores, despite conceptual grasp," notes a petition highlighted by student representatives. Rural Kerala districts report higher dropout rates in professional courses due to language hurdles—up to 15% in first-year law programs per KSHEC data.

Proponents argue it fosters deeper understanding, as students can use familiar terminology for concepts like 'mens rea' (മനസ്സ് ഉദ്ദേശം) or 'res ipsa loquitur.' With district judiciary exams now bilingual under recent reforms, alignment benefits bar aspirants targeting lower courts.

Educator Concerns: Preparedness and Long-Term Viability

While supportive of equity, legal educators voice apprehensions over infrastructure gaps. "We lack comprehensive Malayalam texts for advanced topics like international law or jurisprudence; translations cover only basics like the Constitution," says a senior professor from a Calicut University-affiliated college. Challenges include:

• Scarce legal journals and research databases in Malayalam
• Incomplete glossaries for 5,000+ legal terms
• Faculty training for evaluation—many specialize in English jurisprudence
• Potential dilution of English proficiency, critical for High Court/Supreme Court practice

Boards of Studies in law objected during consultations, citing inadequate deliberation. Critics fear it could disadvantage graduates in national bar exams (AIBE) or corporate litigation, where English dominates.

Benefits: Promoting Equity and Cultural Relevance

The policy addresses socio-economic divides: 60% of Kerala's law enrollees hail from Malayalam-medium schools, per AISHE 2024-25 data. Step-by-step, it enables:

1. Better articulation of ideas, boosting pass rates (law programs average 70% currently)
2. Cultural contextualization—e.g., explaining 'panchayat' justice in local idiom
3. Inclusivity for first-generation learners, aligning with NEP's equity goals

Similar successes in Tamil Nadu, where Tamil exams since 2019 improved comprehension scores by 12%, offer a model.

Implementation Challenges and Roadmap

Universities must amend statutes promptly, potentially introducing bilingual question papers and faculty workshops. KSHEC proposes:

• Developing a unified Malayalam legal lexicon via Law Department collaboration
• Digital repositories for translated judgments and textbooks
• Pilot programs in select colleges for 2026-27

Funding via state plan schemes could support printing bilingual materials. Monitoring via KSHEC ensures uniformity.

Comparisons with Other States and National Trends

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka permit regional languages in law exams, with Tamil Nadu translating major codes. However, Kerala's ecosystem lags in resources, unlike Tamil's robust publishing. Nationally, UGC's push has seen 40% HEIs adopt multilingual exams by 2026, per recent surveys. BCI's silence leaves room for standardization.

Career Implications for Law Graduates

While district bar practice benefits, higher judiciary demands English fluency—90% of Kerala High Court cases are English. Graduates may need supplementary English training. Corporate firms prefer bilinguals, but international arbitration remains English-centric. Long-term, enhanced Malayalam proficiency could aid public interest litigation in local contexts.

Future Outlook: Building a Robust Vernacular Legal Education

This directive positions Kerala as a pioneer in regional legal pedagogy, but success hinges on resource development. Collaborative efforts with BCI, NUALS, and publishers could yield a Malayalam 'Black's Law Dictionary' equivalent. Student feedback mechanisms will refine the process, ensuring it empowers without compromising quality.

For aspiring lawyers, this fosters confidence; for academia, it's a call to innovate. As Kerala navigates this transition, it exemplifies balancing tradition with modernity in India's diverse higher education landscape.

Photo by Nidhin K S on Unsplash