The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday launched major reforms in its scheme of studies, announcing the phased implementation of the three-language format — from Class 6 in 2026-27 and set to become fully operational up to Class 10 by 2030-31 — and the introduction of a two-tier system of compulsory standards and optional advanced courses in mathematics and science for Class 9 starting from the 2026-27 academic session.
Additionally, computational thinking and artificial intelligence (CT and AI) are likely to be implemented gradually from the 2027-28 academic session, and compulsorily assessed in board exams from 2029, CBSE chairman Rahul Singh said.
The changes operationalize ideas first introduced as part of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 and are in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This means that students currently enrolled in Class 9 may face a significantly revamped secondary school curriculum and board examination pattern in 2028.
Under the new CBSE syllabus for secondary schools released on Thursday, language subjects will be organized into three levels – R1, R2 and R3 – as part of a trilingual structured model. R1 (Language 1) will be the student’s main or strongest language, studied at a higher level, and R2 (Language 2) is a different language, studied at a slightly different level. A third language (R3) will be compulsory from Class 6 starting this academic session 2026-27 and gradually extended to Class 10 by 2030-31. During the transition phase, students will be required to study and pass a third language as part of their secondary education.
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The languages selected in R1 and R2 will be different; The same language cannot be presented simultaneously at more than one level. According to the curriculum document, even when using the same textbook until separate language books are available for different levels, “the curriculum will be different for R1 and R2 levels and the assessment will also be different.”
The document noted that students studying the same language may face different question papers and difficulty levels on board exams, depending on whether they take it at the R1 or R2 level.
“As per the recommendations of NCF-SE-2023, two of these three languages should be indigenous languages of India,” the document said. CBSE has listed 44 languages covering all the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
“Currently, all language subjects are treated at the same level, so we have a very complex schedule and the 2027 board exams will be the last board exams according to the current language textbooks. 2028 will be the first year in which we will have two languages compulsorily – one at R1 level and the other at R2 level. The board exam schedule for Class 10 examination in 2028 will be prepared accordingly and the language subjects exam will be held over two days – one day will be held for R1 level and the second day for R2 level. R2 and 2031 onwards for three days – one day for R1 level, a second day for R2 level, and a third day for R3 level,” CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh said on Thursday during a webinar on the new scheme.
Mathematics and science will witness a major structural transformation with the introduction of a two-tier system starting from the 2026-27 academic session, according to the curriculum document.
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All students will study the standard curriculum and take a three-hour, 80-point common examination; Those who choose a higher level of proficiency can choose an additional “advanced” level in either or both subjects.
This advanced component will consist of a separate 25-mark, one-hour paper designed to test higher order thinking skills (HOTS) and deeper conceptual understanding. Students have to take the standardized test compulsorily, while the advanced paper remains optional. Importantly, performance on the advanced paper will not be added to the overall score; Alternatively, students achieving 50% or above will receive Advanced Level qualifications separately on their mark sheet.
According to the document, the 20-point internal assessment component will remain unchanged and will not have an advanced distinction.
The reform will replace the current core and standard mathematics system, with the aim of providing flexibility while “enhancing conceptual depth”.
The two-tier system (Standard + Advanced) in mathematics and science will begin in the 2026-27 academic session for ninth graders, and the first board exams for tenth graders with this structure will be held in 2028 for that group.
Social Sciences at secondary level will be updated with new textbooks and a stronger focus on analytical, competency-based learning aligned to NCFSE 2023. Covering history, geography, political science and economics, the subject will focus on inquiry, case studies, map and data analysis and real-life applications to build critical thinking and understanding of social and civic processes.
However, the assessment structure will remain unchanged, with 80 marks for the Class 10 board examination and 20 marks for internal assessment, continuing the existing pattern with the focus shifted towards application and reasoning, the document said.
Besides the core subjects – languages, mathematics, science and social sciences – CBSE will offer key curriculum areas including computational thinking (CT), artificial intelligence (AI), vocational education, physical education and well-being, and interdisciplinary studies, he added.
“CT and AI will come the year after that in 2029 and will be mandatorily assessed in board exams… CT and AI will be assessed externally,” CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh said.
The other areas – vocational education, physical education, arts education, and interdisciplinary studies (People in Society in Chapter 9 and Environment in Chapter 9) – which focus on civic understanding, sustainability and application of knowledge in the real world – will be assessed internally by schools through practical competency-based methods, according to the document. “These are meaningful topics… and we will prepare rubrics for internal evaluation,” Singh said.
