CBSE makes three-language study compulsory in Classes 9-10, exempts third language from Board exam
By Vishu Adhana, New Delhi, May 16
The Central Board of Secondary Education has made the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class IX beginning July 1, while clarifying that there will be no Board examination for the third language in Class X.
In a circular issued on May 15, the CBSE said that at least two of the three languages must be native Indian languages, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
"With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages," the circular stated.
However, the CBSE said no Board examination would be conducted for the third language at the Class X level in order to "keep the focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students".
"All assessments for R3 shall be entirely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate," the CBSE said, adding that no student would be barred from appearing in the Class X Board examinations because of R3.
The CBSE said schools may offer any language from the CBSE list of subjects, provided at least two of the three chosen languages are native Indian languages. Foreign languages can only be studied as the third language if the other two are Indian languages, or as an optional fourth language.
As part of the transition, the CBSE said Class IX students would temporarily use Class VI R3 textbooks for the chosen language until dedicated secondary-stage textbooks become available. Schools have also been asked to supplement the material with local or state literary content.
The circular further stated that schools facing shortages of qualified language teachers may adopt interim measures such as inter-school resource sharing, virtual teaching support, or engagement of retired teachers and qualified postgraduates.
The CBSE also announced relaxations for Children with Special Needs (CwSN), schools situated outside India, and foreign students returning to India on a case-by-case basis.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a parent, I'm relieved they're not putting board exam pressure for the third language. But will schools actually find qualified teachers? Many rural schools already struggle with language faculty. The inter-school sharing idea is good, but execution matters. Let's see how this pans out.
Interesting move from CBSE. I'm a foreigner living in India, and my kids study in CBSE school. We already have English and Hindi, adding a third Indian language might be tough for them. But I appreciate the flexibility for foreign students—makes sense. 🤔
Good intention, but I have a concern: will this increase workload for Class 9 students? They already have 5-6 subjects. Adding a compulsory third language might mean less time for core subjects like Math and Science. CBSE should have phased it in gradually. Still, promoting Indian languages is welcome. 🇮🇳
I'm a teacher in a CBSE school in Bangalore. This policy is ambitious but also highlights a real gap—we don't have enough language teachers for Kannada, let alone other regional languages. The idea of using Class 6 textbooks for Class 9 students is, frankly, demotivating for older kids. Hope CBSE provides better resources.
From an educational perspective, this aligns with NEP 2020's vision of multilingualism. Learning multiple Indian languages can actually enhance cognitive flexibility. The no-exam policy for R3 is wise—focus on learning, not marks. But I worry about urban schools where parents might demand English-heavy curriculum. Let's hope for balanced implementation.
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