In a first among all IITs, IIT Jodhpur now offers first-year BTech students the option to attend classes where the language of instruction is Hindi, while all academic materials—textbooks, exams, slides, and assignments—remain in English. About 116 students out of a batch of over 500 chose this Hindi section in their first semester, with about half later switching to the English section.

The same faculty member teaches identical content to both sections on the same day, ensuring consistent learning outcomes. This approach eases students into the rigorous curriculum, especially those who come from Hindi-medium schooling or wrote the JEE in Hindi. Many find the smaller Hindi-medium classrooms more interactive and supportive, helping them build confidence before transitioning to English.

This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on regional language instruction, and following encouragement from the Education Minister. However, expanding beyond Hindi—or extending beyond the first year—presents logistical challenges, including the need for additional faculty, classrooms, and complex scheduling.