Abstract India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduces revolutionary changes in the country's educational framework, with mother tongue education emerging as a pivotal strategy for combating alarming dropout rates. This comprehensive study examines the intricate relationship between linguistic pedagogy and student retention, exploring how NEP 2020's multilingual education provisions can systematically address educational attrition challenges across India's diverse socio-linguistic landscape. The research synthesizes contemporary educational theories, empirical data, and policy analysis to demonstrate that mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) creates sustainable pathways for improved academic engagement, enhanced learning outcomes, and significantly reduced dropout rates. Through critical examination of implementation frameworks, this paper provides evidence-based recommendations for maximizing the transformative potential of NEP 2020's linguistic inclusivity mandate in creating equitable educational opportunities for all Indian children.