CBSE Relaxes Language Policy for Classes 7-9, Allows Existing Foreign Language Choices

CBSE Relaxes Language Policy for Classes 7-9, Allows Existing Foreign Language Choices | Quick Digest
The CBSE has clarified its three-language policy, providing significant relief to students in Classes 7, 8, and 9. Those already studying foreign languages can continue their current combinations until Class 10, reversing an earlier circular that caused widespread concern. The new policy, mandating two Indian languages, will apply prospectively from Class 6.

Key Highlights

  • CBSE relaxes controversial three-language policy for current Classes 7, 8, 9 batches.
  • Students can continue existing foreign language combinations until Class 10.
  • Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified policy's prospective application from Class 6.
  • Earlier May circular mandated two Indian languages for Class 9, causing widespread concern.
  • No Class 10 Board examination required for the third language for these batches.
  • New three-language formula, including two Indian languages, now applies to future Class 6 batches.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced significant relaxations and clarifications regarding its three-language policy, primarily benefiting students currently in Classes 7, 8, and 9. This announcement comes as a major relief, addressing widespread confusion and concerns among students, parents, and schools across India. Previously, a CBSE circular issued in May 2026 had mandated that students entering Class 9 from July 1, 2026, would be required to study three languages, with at least two of them being native Indian languages (Bhartiya Bhashas). This directive, part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, sparked considerable apprehension, particularly among students who had opted for two foreign languages (such as French, German, or Spanish) alongside English. Many feared they would be forced to abandon a foreign language mid-session to accommodate an additional Indian language, leading to protests and even petitions filed in the Supreme Court. Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan intervened, clarifying that the requirement of studying at least two Indian languages would be implemented prospectively. This means the new policy will apply only to students entering Class 6 from the current academic session onwards and will progress gradually with each subsequent batch. Crucially, students currently studying in Classes 7, 8, and 9 who have already opted for two foreign languages under the existing three-language policy will be permitted to continue with their chosen language combinations until they complete Class 10. The CBSE's revised guidelines, issued on Monday, June 29, 2026, explicitly state that these current batches will not be required to appear for a Class 10 Board examination in the third language. This exemption aims to ensure that students are not disadvantaged or disrupted during the transition phase. The board emphasized its commitment to both promoting multilingualism through Indian languages and ensuring a balanced learning process. For the upcoming academic session (2026-27), Class 10 students will continue under the existing two-language scheme, entirely unaffected by the revised three-language policy. The guidelines further clarify that for new Class 6 entrants, the three languages (R1, R2, R3) must include at least two Indian languages. English is generally categorized as a non-native (foreign) language in this framework, implying that if English is chosen as R1 or R2, then a student would still need two Indian languages, or one Indian language plus another foreign language as R3, provided two Bhartiya Bhashas are chosen elsewhere. Foreign languages can still be offered as a third language, provided the two-Indian-language criterion is met, or as an optional fourth language. The government, while providing this clarification, has rejected suggestions that it amounts to a complete rollback of the policy. Instead, officials from the Ministry of Education asserted that the clarification merely provides explicit details to an existing provision that lacked sufficient clarity, thereby addressing the ambiguities. It has been highlighted that a vast majority of CBSE students (approximately 98.5%) already follow a three-language formula that includes two Indian languages, meaning the immediate impact of the initial circular was primarily on a smaller segment of students, largely in urban schools, who had opted for multiple foreign languages. The implementation strategy now involves a phased approach, starting from Class 6, to align with the NEP 2020's vision of promoting Bhartiya Bhashas while also allowing flexibility for existing students. The CBSE is expected to issue official notifications to formalize these relaxations and provide further guidance to schools, parents, and students. This development underscores the government's responsiveness to public feedback and its efforts to integrate the ambitious goals of the NEP 2020 into the educational system without causing undue disruption to students already in the midst of their academic journey. The clarification also addresses concerns about textbook availability and the practical challenges of switching languages mid-year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recent relaxation in the CBSE three-language policy?

The CBSE has clarified that students currently in Classes 7, 8, and 9 who have already opted for two foreign languages will be allowed to continue with their existing language combinations until Class 10, without being forced to switch to an Indian language.

Who does the new three-language policy (mandating two Indian languages) apply to?

The revised three-language policy, requiring students to study at least two Indian languages, will be implemented prospectively, applying only to students entering Class 6 from the current academic session onwards.

Will students in Classes 7, 8, and 9 have to give a Board exam for the third language?

No, students in the current batches of Classes 7, 8, and 9 will not be required to appear for a Class 10 Board examination in the third language when they progress to the secondary stage.

Why was there confusion surrounding the CBSE's language policy?

Confusion arose from an earlier CBSE circular in May 2026 that mandated Class 9 students to study three languages, with two being Indian languages, from July 1, 2026. This led to concerns about students having to change languages midway through their studies.

What is the role of foreign languages under the clarified policy?

For new Class 6 students, foreign languages can be chosen as a third language if the requirement of two Indian languages is met, or as an optional fourth language. For existing Classes 7-9, those already studying foreign languages can continue them as part of their three-language structure.

Read Full Story on Quick Digest