Medium of Instruction and Preparing for the Civil Service Examination: The Hindi Medium Disadvantage?

Abstract

This study investigates the language-related challenges encountered by Hindi medium aspirants while preparing for the civil services examination (hereinafter CSE) in India. A steady rise in the number of candidates opting for Indian languages in the CSE was noted, particularly those who chose Hindi, with the number of exam-takers in Hindi going from 11.7% in 1979 to 42.2% in 2007. Furthermore, the success rates of regional medium aspirants in the CSE have been reportedly low (Singh, 2022). The lack of study material in regional languages and faulty translations of question papers have been repeatedly cited as the main reason. The study attempted to explore these issues through qualitative data collected using one-on-one and group semi-structured interviews with CSE aspirants (n25) and teachers (n2) in Delhi. The research provides insights into the problems non-English aspirants face and intends to inform students, teachers, educational institutions, and policymakers, potentially leading to policy decisions aimed at re-establishing a balance in the success rates of students from all education backgrounds in this highly competitive examination. © The Author(s) 2025.