NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 17: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider deferring the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 6 students until the next academic session beginning in 2027.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana suggested that the CBSE consider postponing the policy to avoid putting additional pressure on students currently studying in Class 6.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the CBSE, informed the court that the board would consider the suggestion and submit a fresh note on the issue.
Justice Bagchi observed that implementation could be deferred to the next academic year to provide students with greater comfort. He also said that students currently in Class 6 who wish to study three languages from the ongoing academic year could be permitted to do so.
The bench clarified that its suggestions were made without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the parties and that the substantive issues involved in the matter could be decided at a later stage.
The Supreme Court had earlier agreed to hear a petition challenging the CBSE’s three-language policy and, on May 27, sought responses from the Centre, CBSE and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Under the CBSE’s revised scheme, students are required to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages. The policy is part of the board’s efforts to align its curriculum with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
The CBSE has also introduced a three-language requirement for Class 9 from July 1, 2026. Students are required to study three languages, of which at least two must be Indian languages.
The board has allowed students to opt for a foreign language as the third language only after choosing two Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.
The CBSE has also stated that no board examination will be conducted for the third language at the Class 10 level, with the aim of reducing academic pressure on students.
The board had directed schools to update their available third-language options for Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal.
