This paper examines the role of regional languages in India’s nation-building process, with a particular focus on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Drawing on historical developments, postcolonial language politics, and comparative insights from multilingual polities such as East Timor, Malaysia, and the European Union, the paper explores how language functions as a site of cultural identity, political negotiation, and educational access. While NEP 2020 promotes mother tongue instruction and multilingualism, its implementation faces significant structural and ideological barriers. The paper critiques the policy’s centralizing tendencies and lack of enforceable measures, arguing that without sustained investment and localized planning, the vision of linguistic inclusion remains aspirational. By situating India’s language debates within broader global patterns of linguistic planning and identity politics, the analysis underscores the need for flexible, region-sensitive frameworks to preserve linguistic diversity and ensure educational equity.