1. INTRODUCTION “We are one earth, one family, and we share one future.” (Preamble, G-201) Education is not just a means to an end. It is much more than that. Education is vital for the physical and mental well-being of individuals, their ability to collaborate and social cohesiveness, their levels of productivity and ultimate contribution to the growth and development of the society and economy. Moreover, quality education is a lifechanging, mind-crafting, and character-building experience that positively impacts citizenship. Empowered learners not only contribute to the growth and development of the country, but also participate in creating a just and equitable society. Education is the mainstay of any democratic society and realising and utilising its potential to create a more just, inclusive, equitable, prosperous, and environmentally sustainable world is putting the best foot forward for a democracy. Since independence, our educational system has expanded to reach the last mile and improved considerably. Our literacy rate increased from 18 per cent in 1951 to 73 percent in 2011. With almost 15 lakh schools, 96 lakh teachers, and 26 crore students, currently, India has the most extensive school education system in the entire world. The release of the groundbreaking National Education Policy (NEP) in July 2020 is already having a far-reaching impact on education. The policy envisions a significant transformation in schooling through "an education system rooted in Indian ethos that contributes directly to transforming India, that is Bharat, sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing high-quality education to all, thereby making India a global knowledge superpower".2 The five guiding pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability serve as the foundation for NEP 2020; the policy emphasizes quality education across all stages of school education. In the recently concluded G 20 summit held in New Delhi, India, on 9 and 10 September 2023, the participating countries led by India, have reinforced their commitment to inclusive, equitable, high-quality education and skills training for all, including those in vulnerable situations.3 The technological and digital revolution has changed the landscape of education and its delivery process. However, not every student has equal access to the Internet and digital gadgets. Additionally, NEP 2020 clearly points out that the inaccessibility of language can become a huge hurdle in the learning process. Language serves as both a means of communication and a vehicle for disseminating knowledge. Language obstacles can prevent students from understanding what is taught in class. This state of exclusion from learning may begin as early as the foundational stage, or from preschool itself. Teachers might also lack the skills or materials necessary to support pupils or kids who speak languages other than the regional language or the prevalent medium of instruction. Due to this, these pupils have only restricted access to educational G-20 New Delhi leaders’ Declaration, New Delhi, India, 9-10 September 2023, https://www.mea.gov. in/Images/CPV/G20-New-Delhi-Leaders-Declaration.pdf 2 National Education Policy 2020, Ministry of Education, Government of India, https://www.education. gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf 3 G-20 New Delhi leaders’ Declaration, New Delhi, India, 9-10 September 2023. 1 40 Journal of the National Human Rights Commission, Vol. 22, 2023