Class IX students to study 3 languages, including 2 regional, from July 1: CBSE
New Delhi, May 16
Adopting a transitional approach to adjust the CBSE's Scheme of Studies with the revised NCERT syllabus aligned with the NEP 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, the Board has made it compulsory for Class IX students to study three languages from July 1.
In a circular issued to heads of schools affiliated to it, the CBSE said that out of the three languages (R1, R2, R3), at least two should be native Indian languages.
"Students who wish to study a foreign language may do so as the third language only if the other two languages are native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language," said a CBSE circular dated May 15.
To address the issue of shortage of books, the Board said till the dedicated R3 textbooks are available, Class IX students shall use the Class VI R3 textbooks (2026-27 edition) of the chosen language.
The Board also decided not to hold any exam for Class X students for R 3 to keep the academic burden under check.
"No Board Examination shall be conducted for R3 at the Class X level. 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," it said
"It is clarified that no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3. Sample question papers and rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the Board shortly," said the Board.
"Schools may choose any language from the CBSE list of subjects, ensuring that at least two of R1, R2, and R3 are native Indian languages. It is also requested that schools must update their R3 offering, as per policy recommendations, for classes VI to IX on the OASIS portal by June 30 2026," said the CBSE circular issued by Dr Praggya M. Singh, Professor and Director (Academics).
The board acknowledged that some schools may face difficulties in arranging qualified teachers for native Indian languages during the transition period.
CBSE has allowed schools to use flexible arrangements such as inter-school resource sharing through Sahodaya clusters, hybrid teaching support, engagement of retired language teachers, and hiring suitably qualified postgraduates.
The board also informed that Class 6 R3 textbooks in 19 scheduled languages will be made available to schools before July 1, 2026.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a parent, I'm not sure about this. My child already has so much pressure with Science, Maths, and English. Adding three languages in Class 9? That's too much. Plus, finding teachers for our native language is tough in our city. And the whole "no exam for R3" sounds like they're just making it a pass subject without real learning. Just my honest opinion.
This is exactly what NEP 2020 envisioned! India's linguistic diversity is our strength. My daughter studies in a Kendriya Vidyalaya and she's excited to learn Sanskrit and Hindi alongside English. The flexibility with Sahodaya clusters for teacher sharing is practical too. Well done CBSE! 👏
I'm a British expat working in Bangalore and my kid is in a CBSE school. This is going to be challenging for non-Indian families. My son already struggles with Hindi, now he needs two Indian languages? We might need to consider other boards. But I understand the cultural rationale behind it.
Good move but the execution will be key. In our small town school, we don't even have a proper Hindi teacher, forget regional languages like Marathi or Kannada. The "flexible arrangements" sound good on paper but will they really work in rural areas? And what about the students who move across states - will they be penalized for not knowing the local language? 🤷♀️
I'm a Class 9 student and I'm actually happy about this! I love my native language Tamil and want to learn Sanskrit too. English is important na
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