SC to hear plea against CBSE’s three-language policy next week

The Supreme Court of India is reportedly set to hear next week a plea challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)’s new three-language policy for Class 9 students, scheduled to come into effect from July 1.

As per reports, the matter was mentioned before a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant after petitioners, including students, parents and teachers, raised objections to the revised policy. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi reportedly argued that the new language mandate could create confusion and administrative difficulties if implemented immediately, urging the court for an urgent hearing.

The CBSE policy, introduced as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, makes the study of three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from the 2026-27 academic session. Under the framework, at least two of the three languages must be native Indian languages.

According to the board’s circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language will be allowed to study it only as the third language after learning two Indian languages, or as an optional fourth language.

The board has clarified that no separate Class 10 board examination will be conducted for the third language (R3). Assessments for the subject will remain entirely school-based and internal, though student performance will still be reflected in CBSE certificates. The board also stated that no student would be barred from appearing in Class 10 board exams due to the additional language requirement.

CBSE further directed schools to update their language offerings for Classes 6 to 9 by June 30. While textbooks for 19 scheduled Indian languages are expected before July 1, schools have been asked to rely on SCERT and state-level resources for other regional languages until dedicated material becomes available.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)