The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major change in the secondary education system by making the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class IX beginning July 1, 2026. The decision has been taken in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, both of which emphasise multilingual learning and promotion of Indian languages.
According to a circular issued by the CBSE on May 15, students entering Class IX will now be required to study three languages, identified as R1, R2 and R3. The Board has made it mandatory that at least two of these languages must be native Indian languages. Schools affiliated with CBSE across the country will have to implement the new framework from the upcoming academic cycle.
No separate board exam for third language
One of the most significant aspects of the new policy is that there will be no separate CBSE Board examination for the third language, referred to as R3, in Class X. Instead, evaluation for the third language will be carried out entirely through internal assessments conducted by schools.
CBSE stated that the move is intended to reduce exam-related pressure on students while encouraging practical learning and language exposure rather than rote-based examination preparation. However, the Board clarified that students’ performance and marks in the third language will still be reflected in their official CBSE certificates.
The Board further assured students and parents that no student would be prevented from appearing in the Class X Board examinations due to the third language requirement.
How the new three-language system will work
Under the revised framework, students will choose three languages categorised as R1, R2 and R3. Schools can offer any language included in the official CBSE subject list. However, the Board has introduced specific conditions regarding foreign languages.
Students will be allowed to study a foreign language as their third language only if the other two selected languages are Indian languages. Additionally, foreign languages may also be chosen as an optional fourth language.
The policy is aimed at strengthening multilingual abilities among students while ensuring continued emphasis on Indian linguistic and cultural diversity, one of the central objectives of the NEP 2020.
Temporary use of class VI textbooks
CBSE has also shared implementation details for schools regarding teaching material for the third language. Since specialised secondary-level textbooks for many third-language options are not yet available, students in Class IX will temporarily use Class VI textbooks for the selected R3 language.
The Board advised schools to supplement these textbooks with local literature, regional learning resources and state-level educational material to ensure better language exposure and comprehension among students.
Recognising that several schools may face challenges in arranging qualified language teachers, especially for regional or less commonly taught languages, CBSE has permitted temporary alternative arrangements.
Schools have been allowed to adopt measures such as sharing teachers between nearby schools, using virtual teaching methods, hiring retired teachers or engaging qualified postgraduate candidates for language instruction.
The Board said these measures are intended to ensure smooth implementation of the policy without disrupting students’ learning process.
Special relaxations for certain students
CBSE has also announced that special relaxations will be provided to Children with Special Needs (CwSN), foreign students returning to India and schools located outside the country.
According to the Board, such cases will be handled individually depending on specific academic and practical requirements. The flexibility is intended to ensure that students facing exceptional circumstances are not adversely affected by the new language policy.
Part of larger NEP 2020 reforms
The three-language framework forms part of broader educational reforms introduced under the National Education Policy 2020, which seeks to promote multilingualism, strengthen foundational learning and reduce excessive dependence on high-pressure examinations.
The NEP had earlier proposed encouraging students to learn multiple Indian languages while preserving flexibility in language choices. The latest CBSE circular marks one of the most significant steps towards implementing those recommendations at the secondary school level.
The move is likely to impact lakhs of CBSE students across India and may also trigger discussions around language choices, implementation challenges and the availability of trained language teachers in schools.
