CBSE New Curriculum 2026: 3rd Language Mandatory from Class 6 & Vocational Compulsory in Class 9-10, Details Here

CBSE has released its new school curriculum, and it comes with some big changes. Starting from the 2026-27 academic session, a third language will be compulsory for Class 6 students.

This is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends that students learn three languages up to Class 10.

Third Language: What's Changing and When?

Right now, students study only two languages. Under the new curriculum, a third language — called R3 — will be introduced in Class 6 this year.

CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh has clarified that R3 won't be mandatory for Class 9 students just yet. Students starting R3 in Class 6 this year will appear for their board exams in 2031, and that's when the full three-language formula will be implemented.

Learning material for R3, developed by CBSE in collaboration with NCERT, is expected to be available online this month.

What About English and Foreign Languages?

This is an important change to understand. English will now be considered a foreign language under the new system. Since the curriculum allows only one foreign language, students writing the Class 10 board exam in 2031 are unlikely to take both English and another foreign language as their second or third language option.

New Subjects Being Made Compulsory in Class 9 and 10

CBSE is making several subjects mandatory for Class 9 and 10 students. Here's what's changing:

Textbooks for art education and physical education will also be introduced. Computational thinking and artificial intelligence are already being introduced in Classes 3 to 8 this academic session.

Math and Science at Two Levels

From the 2026-27 session, Math and Science will be offered at two levels for Class 9 students — a standard level and an advanced level.

Students who choose the advanced level will take an additional 25-mark, one-hour exam on top of the regular final exam. If a student clears the advanced level, it'll be mentioned in their marksheet with a description of the rubrics. If they don't clear it, there'll be no mention of it at all.

CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh explained that this helps students identify their strengths and choose accordingly. They can opt for the advanced level in one subject, both, or neither.

Advanced-level subjects will also appear in the 2028 board exam.

22 Scheduled Languages Now Available

CBSE is also adding Dogri, Maithili, Konkani, and Santhali as language subjects in Class 9 from this academic session. With this addition, CBSE now offers all 22 scheduled languages as subject options.

Special Rule for Schools Abroad

Schools located outside India get a relaxed language requirement. They only need to offer one Indian language instead of two, which is the requirement for schools within India.

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