CBSE Three-Language Policy: Class 10 Exempted, Class 9 Allowed Two Foreign Languages

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has provided comprehensive guidelines on the implementation of its three-language policy. The guidelines apply to all CBSE affiliated institutions beginning from the 2026–27 session. The circular is in compliance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It provides the teaching schedule of Indian languages in various classes and ensures there is no unexpected change in the lives of learners enrolled in the institution.

The guidelines are published months after CBSE introduced a requirement for students in Class 9 to take three languages starting from July 1. Two of the three required languages should be Bhartiya Bhasha. Since then, various students and parents have filed cases in court against the ruling.

What exactly is the three-language policy? The three-language policy requires learners to learn three languages where at least two are Bhartiya Bhasha which include Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese and others included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The third language (R3) in the course of the three-language policy may be a non-native language. English, French, German, Arabic, and Spanish are some of the examples of non-native languages that can be used as the R3 in the curriculum of learners. However, the choice of non-native language as R3 is subject to learners taking at least two Bhartiya Bhashas alongside.

What do the Guidelines Say About Implementation?

Class 10 — No Change

No change will be seen in the ongoing Class 10. This group will follow the traditional pattern of studying two languages. They do not have to study a third language either or appear for an exam in it. CBSE has made this very clear so that no extra pressure is added to the students.

Class 9 — Three Languages

The students of Class 9 will have to study three languages, where at least two of them would be Bhartiya Bhashas. The CBSE has made provisions in the form of how things need to be done in case of three scenarios:

For the students of Class 9, the Third Language (R3) assessment will be carried out only on the basis of school-based internal assessment. In 2027-28 when they reach Class 10, no CBSE Board Examination for Third Language will take place.

Class 7 and 8

Class 7 and 8 pupils will start learning three languages as they go on to Class 9 and Class 10. Two out of the three should be from Bhartiya Bhasha. Those pupils who have two foreign languages to their name need not worry because they will not have to give them up; they just need to learn an additional Indian language.

Class 6

Students of class VI during the academic year 2026-27 will be the first to implement the three language formula completely. They would not be provided relaxation in two Bhartiya Bhasha formula. At the time when these students appear in the CBSE board examination at Class 10th level, they will write the examination in R3, which means that they will be the first students to take complete test on the basis of this formula. NCERT has published R3 books for class 6 in 22 Indian languages.

Who is Exempted?

CBSE has specified the following three primary exemptions from the three languages policy:

Children with Special Needs (CwSN): CwSN are provided exemptions and relaxations from the mandatory third language policy as per the provisions of the RPwD act, 2016.

CBSE schools outside India: All CBSE affiliated schools situated outside India are exempted from the provision of teaching an Indian native language as the third language.

Foreign students returning to India: Foreign students coming back to India need not learn Bhartiya Bhasha as R3.

Relief is also available for those who shift across states. In case a student has opted for a certain combination of languages in the middle stage, he/she will be able to pursue the same when he/she reaches Class 9 level. This would require proper arrangement of resources by the new school.

How Schools will Handle Staffing

CBSE is aware that teaching the third language, particularly the one that is uncommon in India, can pose challenges with staffing the language at school. In order to make the process easier, the guidelines permit flexible staffing. The schools can make use of already present teachers having expertise in the language.

Additionally, schools can employ retired teachers as well as teachers holding a postgraduate degree in the language concerned. Moreover, schools can form Sahodaya clusters wherein the schools collaborate in teaching resources.

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