Three-Language Formula: Tamil Nadu Drops Rupee Symbol in State Budget; Replaces with Tamil Letter Ru

In the state budget for 2025–2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin replaced the Indian rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter "Ru," derived from "Rubai," which in Tamil means "Rupees." The rupee symbol is being changed due to the ongoing dispute between the ruling DMK party and the central government.

The DMK has resisted the new National Education scheme's three-language scheme because they believe it forces the usage of Hindi.

Tamil Nadu Budget Emblem Without Rupee Symbol

This action is seen as a powerful declaration of pride in Tamil, particularly in light of the ongoing discussions around the preservation of cultural autonomy and the imposition of Hindi.

Stalin used X to post the state budget's emblem, which lacked the official Indian rupee sign. He explained the logo and stated that the choice was made to "benefit all sections of society" and guarantee growth in Tamil Nadu.

TN Becomes First State to Reject National Currency Symbol

This is the first time a state has rejected the national currency symbol. The decision was made in the midst of the Tamil Nadu government's opposition to the three-language formula and the National Education Policy (NEP).

What is Three Language Formula?

According to NEP 2020's three-language formula, students should learn three languages, at least two of which must be indigenous to India. This rule applies to both government and private schools, allowing states to select languages freely without any restrictions.

Three Language Formula Legally Adopted in 1968

The Education Commission (1964–1966), formally known as the Kothari Commission, was the first to propose the formula. Under then-prime minister Indira Gandhi, it was legally incorporated into the National Policy on Education (NPE) in 1968. In order to support linguistic variety and national cohesion, the policy was once again reiterated in NPE 1986 under PM Rajiv Gandhi and updated in 1992 by the Congress government of Narasimha Rao.

Three languages were included in the formula: the official language, the mother tongue or regional language, and a contemporary Indian or European language.

ALSO READ: India Becomes 4th Country to Achieve Space Docking, Joining US, Russia & China

ALSO READ: US-Canada Tariff War: Canada Plans Counter-Tariffs on American Goods

Why is Tamil Nadu in Opposition to Three Language Formula?

The three-language formula has long been resisted by the state of Tamil Nadu. The Madras government, led by C Rajagopalachari at the time, made Hindi mandatory in schools in 1937. Dravidian leaders like Periyar and the Justice Party staged massive rallies in response to this action. The policy was canceled in 1940, but opposition to Hindi continued.

Tamil Nadu resisted the 1968 introduction of the three-language formula because they believed it was a ploy to impose Hindi. The state implemented a two-language policy under Chief Minister C N Annadurai, teaching only English and Tamil. The only state that has never used the three-language model is Tamil Nadu, which prioritizes English over Hindi and other regional languages.