According to the three - language formula, the first language should be:

Language in education is the basis for the learning and development of children during the formative years of school. It is equally important for learning in general and learning the content subjects in particular in later years.

• The three-language formula is an attempt to address the challenges and opportunities of the linguistic situation in India. It is a strategy that serves as a launching pad for learning of 3 languages: Hindi, English, and a regional language. It was enacted in 1968.

Key Points

The Three-Language Formula as stated in the 1968 Policy is:

• The First language: It has to be studied must be the mother tongue or the regional language.
• The Second language: In Hindi speaking States, the second language will be English or some other modern Indian language. In non-Hindi speaking States, the second language will be Hindi or English.
• The Third language: The third language is taught at a later stage in school, and that too for a shorter time, as it is needed only in limited context i.e. in a social situation where neither first nor second language could help the child to communicate.

Hence, it could be concluded that according to the three-language formula, the first language should be the mother tongue or regional language.