The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has ordered the study of three languages, including at least two indigenous Indian languages, for students of Classes IX and 10 from July 1, according to a circular, a month after the board made the program compulsory for students of Class VI. However, the board clarified that “no student will be prevented from appearing in the Class 10 board examinations” on account of third language.
The move comes weeks after the board on April 2 rolled out major reforms to its scheme of studies, announcing the phased implementation of the three-language format — from Grade 6 in 2026-27 and set to become fully operational up to Grade 10 by 2030-31 — and introducing a two-tier system of compulsory standard courses and optional advanced courses in mathematics and science for Grade 9 starting from the 2026-27 academic session.
Implementation is immediate
However, in a circular issued on May 15, the board has made it mandatory for Class IX students also from this academic session.
“From July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2 and R3) will be compulsory, with at least two of them being indigenous Indian languages,” the circular read.
Foreign languages are allowed with conditions
“Students who wish to study a foreign language may do so as a third language only if the other two languages are indigenous Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language,” added the circular, signed by Professor and Director (Academics) Pragya M Singh, and issued on May 15 to the heads of all affiliated schools.
CBSE has also asked schools to remain focus on learning and reduce any unnecessary pressure on students, and no board examination for R3 will be conducted at Class 10 level.
There is no board exam for the third language
“All R3 assessments shall be completely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate. It is clear that no student will be prevented from appearing in the Class
Schools have been asked to update their R3 language offerings for grades 6-9 on the OASIS portal by 30 June.
The Council stated that until R3 textbooks are available, students can use Grade 6 R3 textbooks in the meantime, as a comparative analysis found approximately 75-80% overlap in core language competencies between R3 middle and high school levels.
She added that Class 6 R3 will be made available to all schools before July 1 in all 19 scheduled languages.
For schools facing a shortage of qualified Hindi teachers, the board proposed interim measures, such as sharing resources between schools, supporting virtual or hybrid teaching, and engaging retired language teachers and qualified postgraduates.
“Qualified Indian teachers may, as an interim arrangement for R3 language, engage existing teachers of other subjects who possess functional competency,” it added.
The CBSE also said that facilities for children with special needs (CwSN) will be provided as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, while foreign students returning to India may get case-by-case exemptions from the requirement to study two native Indian languages.
But this development surprised most school heads.
Principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka, Sudha Acharya, said the trilingual format is expected to be implemented gradually.
“We are an English medium school, so English has to be our R1 language. This leaves students in Delhi with only Hindi and Sanskrit for R2 and R3 or vice versa,” the school principal said.
“The board has suggested that students choose a fourth language if they wish. We offer German and French, but I personally do not feel comfortable burdening students with four languages. They are already studying advanced mathematics and science, along with various artificial intelligence courses. On the one hand, we talk about mental health, and on the other hand, we are constantly adding to their academic loads.”
Principal of Mount Abu Public School, Rohini, Jyoti Arora, said: “This move is in line with the NEP 2020, but has created anxiety among stakeholders. Since the academic session is already underway and unit exams are over, schools will face practical challenges in terms of availability of language teachers, restructuring of timetable, and academic adjustments. There is also need for more clarity on the status of English within the policy framework to ensure smooth implementation.”
“Changes and new introductions are good, but they cannot be too surprising,” said another principal of a school in south Delhi, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The board could have communicated this a few days before the start of the academic session in April. We are still processing the change ourselves – how are we supposed to communicate it to students and parents?”
Queries sent by HT to CBSE did not elicit any response; But a senior official said that the board will hold a press conference on Sunday to address all doubts.
