New Delhi, 16 May (H.S.):

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has implemented a three-language formula for Classes 9 and 10. Of these, at least two languages must necessarily be Indian languages. The new arrangement will come into effect from July 1 this year.

In a circular issued by the CBSE on May 15, the directive said the new arrangement is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. The change has been made after reviewing the latest NCERT curriculum for the 2026-27 academic session.

According to the board, students will have to study three languages, of which at least two must be Indian languages. However, no board examination will be conducted for the third language in Class 10.

CBSE clarified that the evaluation of the third language will be entirely at the school level and internally assessed. Students’ performance will be mentioned in the CBSE certificate, but no student will be deprived of the board examination on the basis of the third language.

Foreign languages may be chosen only as a third language or as an optional fourth language. The board said that while implementing the new system, Class 9 students will currently study from the third-language textbooks prescribed for Class 6. In schools facing a shortage of language teachers, arrangements such as online teaching, sharing of resources between schools and assistance from retired teachers will be adopted.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar