Students can write answers in both Kannada and English in UG and PG exams: Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan

Bengaluru: In an effort to promote regional languages in higher learning, students will be allowed to write the undergraduate and postgraduate level examinations in Karnataka in both Kannada and English languages.

This was decided in the 23rd general body meeting of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council chaired by Higher Education Minister Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan on Wednesday, December 14.

Dr. Ashwathnarayan said the decision was unanimous. Until now, students were allowed to write an examination undergraduate and postgraduate courses in either Kannada or English. But, henceforth, students will be given the opportunity to write the answers in the language they find suitable for answering the respective questions. In any exam, one question could be answered in Kannada, while another question can be answered in English. This facility is already available in polytechnic education, the minister added.

In addition to this, it was decided in the meeting to translate quality books related to all subjects into Kannada as per UGC instructions to achieve the NEP’s intention of completing higher education in regional languages. For this, a high-level committee will be formed for this,  minister Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan said.

Instead of setting up a new tribal university, proper arrangements will be made for tribal studies in the existing Karnataka Folklore University (Janapada University), he said.

Until now, it was possible to write an examination in Kannada or English for any one of the subjects in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. But from now on the same thing can be written in both languages. Students will be given the opportunity to write the answers in the language they find suitable for answering the respective questions. One question can be answered in Kannada and the other question can be answered in English. He informed that this facility is already available in polytechnic education.