New Delhi, 29 June (H.S.): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued detailed guidelines for implementing the three-language policy in its affiliated schools from the 2026–27 academic session in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Board has clarified that the new framework will not apply to students currently studying in Class 10, who will continue to appear for their Board examinations with two languages under the existing system.
According to the CBSE, all students admitted to Class 9 in the 2026–27 academic session will be required to study three languages, of which at least two must be Indian languages. Students already studying one Indian language and one foreign language will have to choose an additional Indian language as their third language.
The Board has also provided a one-time special relaxation for students who are already studying two foreign languages. They will be allowed to continue with both foreign languages while adding one Indian language as an additional subject.
CBSE further clarified that for students currently studying in Classes 7, 8 and 9, assessment of the third language will be conducted only through internal evaluation at the school level. These students will not be required to appear for a CBSE Board examination in the third language when they reach Class 10.
However, the policy will be implemented in its entirety for students currently in Class 6 during the 2026–27 academic session and for all subsequent batches. These students will be required to appear for a Class 10 Board examination in the third language. To support implementation, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is preparing appropriate learning material in all 22 Scheduled Indian languages.
Keeping students' interests in mind, the Board has granted exemptions for certain categories. Children with disabilities, students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools located outside India, and foreign students returning to India will be exempt from the mandatory requirement of studying a third Indian language.
In addition, students whose parents are transferred to another state will be permitted to continue with their previously chosen language combination without disruption.
CBSE has advised schools to adopt flexible arrangements to ensure the availability of qualified language teachers. These include utilising existing teachers with functional language proficiency, engaging retired teachers, appointing postgraduate candidates, sharing teachers through Sahodaya School Complexes, and adopting virtual or hybrid teaching models.
The Board said the objective of the guidelines is to promote multilingual education in line with the National Education Policy 2020 while ensuring that the academic interests of no student are adversely affected during the transition to the new system.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
