CBSE three language policy will boost multilingual learning outcomes: Centre tells SC

The education ministry has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court regarding the implementation of the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) three-language policy, stating that the board’s academic framework is to support implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The ministry also stated that the objective of the CBSE’s three language policy is also to “strengthen language competencies and multilingual learning outcomes” in a phased and structural manner.

The CBSE’s three-language policy mandates third language compulsory for Class 9 and 10 students from 2026-27 academic year. As per the guidelines, the study of three languages shall be compulsory, of which two should be Indian languages.

CBSE's three language formula serves legitimate public objectives: Edu Ministry

Students entering Class 9 in the 2026-27 academic session will study three languages, however, the third language will be assessed only through an internal school examination, the guidelines read.

“The implementation of the three Language Formula serves legitimate public objectives, including promotion of multilingualism, preservation of Indian languages, cognitive development of learners and advancement of the constitutional values of national integration and cultural diversity,” the education ministry said in the affidavit to the Supreme Court.

Earlier, the board had asked schools to offer at least two Indian languages out of three. This resulted in dozens of English-medium schools having to abandon foreign language teaching.

Academia360 had filed a report, previously, on how a third language would be compulsory for CBSE Class 10 and for thousands of students in English-medium schools, Sanskrit would be the only third language option as the CBSE treats English as a foreign language.

In addition, in April, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) stated that the board is following the “NEP in toto”, simultaneously saying that students in its over 2,900 affiliated schools can continue to study foreign language as a third language.