CBSE 3-language rule defies earlier decision

THe exchange room of Secondary training (CBSE) directive to undulate come out a three-language requirement for Class 9 students from July 1 apparently defies a decision its own governing body ratified months earlier that implementation should wait until NCERT released dedicated textbooks, according to meeting minutes seen by HT.The governing body had in December 2025 endorsed a curriculum committee recommendation that schools “continue with the existing Scheme of Studies especially with regard to languages until the release of graded textbooks of languages by NCERT.” The committee had noted that textbooks for regional languages envisaged under the National Curriculum Framework 2023 were not yet available. “The governing body ratified the recommendations of the curriculum committee,” the minutes recorded.Despite that, a CBSE circular dated May 15 directed all affiliated schools to make three languages — designated R1, R2 and R3 — compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1. “With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2 and R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two of them being native Indian languages,” it stated.To bridge the gap in secondary-level material, the board directed schools to use Class 6 R3 textbooks in the interim, citing what it described as a “75–80% overlap in core language competencies” between the two stages.CBSE’s May 15 circular reads 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 is clarified that no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3. Sample question papers, rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the Board shortly,” it added.Students wishing to study a foreign language may do so only if the other two languages are native Indian languages, or by taking it as an additional fourth subject.Queries sent by HT to CBSE went unanswered.The May 15 directive came barely six weeks after CBSE had unveiled a revised scheme of studies on April 2 envisaging phased implementation of the three-language formula starting from Class 6 in 2026-27, with full roll-out to Class 10 by 2030-31. Schools had already acted on that framework — conducting language mapping exercises and communicating changes to parents — with the understanding that higher classes would be brought in year by year.“Most of the schools have already implemented the three-language policy from the start of the session for Class 6. We were informed that gradually it will be implemented for successive classes in a phased manner. Especially because there was no change for Classes 7 to 10,” the principal of a Delhi school said, asking not to be named.Students had studied foreign languages as R2 until the summer vacation and appeared for periodic tests under the earlier framework before the May 15 circular altered the terms.“Sudden change in policy as per CBSE circular on May 15 has put all of us in a dilemma. Students who studied foreign language till Class VIII will have to go for a native language in Class 9 for which books are not available neither curriculum has been prescribed,” the principal said. Requiring Class 9 students to use Class 6 textbooks would “dilute the competency and learning outcome,” the principal added, while forcing schools to rework timetables and staffing arrangements mid-session.The principal of a private school in Gurugram described the situation as chaotic. “Three-language policy is affecting our logistics and teaching pattern. We have a mix of multiple languages in our classrooms and we are left with teaching Sanskrit only and we can’t forcefully remove French, German teachers,” the principal said, adding that schools had not been consulted before the policy was announced.“There was no consultation with school principals before the roll out of this policy and it was announced suddenly. They announced it just a week before vacation. A lot of parents are thinking of shifting to other boards due to CBSE’s confusing policies,” the principal said.The controversy reached the Supreme Court on May 27, when a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant agreed to examine a batch of petitions challenging the policy. The bench questioned whether schools had adequate books, teachers and infrastructure, observing that there appeared to be “issues of hardship, inconvenience and logistical support” requiring immediate attention.The lead petition — filed by 19 parents and teachers from Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Chennai — argues the May 15 circular marked a sudden reversal of CBSE’s stated position, disrupting academic planning already undertaken by schools and families. The matter will be heard in the second week of July.