The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a major change in its language policy by making the study of three languages compulsory for students in Classes 9 and 10 from July 1, 2026. The move is part of broader education reforms linked to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
Under the revised framework, students will now have to study three languages , referred to as R1, R2 and R3 , with at least two of them being native Indian languages. CBSE has clarified that the aim behind the policy is to encourage multilingual learning, strengthen Indian languages and expose students to greater linguistic diversity.
No board exam for third language
One of the key clarifications issued by CBSE is that there will be no Class 10 board examination for the third language (R3). Instead, assessments for the subject will be entirely school-based and internal.
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The board also stated that students will not be stopped from appearing in the Class 10 board examinations because of their performance in the third language. According to CBSE, this decision was taken to reduce academic pressure and keep the focus on learning rather than examination stress.
What languages can students choose?
CBSE has said students may choose languages from the board’s approved subject list, but at least two of the three selected languages must be Indian languages.
This means students can choose combinations such as:
Hindi, English and Sanskrit
English, Bengali and French
Tamil, English and Hindi
Marathi, Hindi and German
However, foreign languages such as French, German or Spanish can only be chosen if the other two selected languages are Indian languages. Students may also study a foreign language as an optional fourth language.
The policy is expected to impact many students studying in English-medium schools, especially those who previously opted for only one Indian language alongside a foreign language. Online discussions among students showed mixed reactions, with some welcoming multilingual learning while others expressed concern about handling an additional Indian language.
Also Read | CBSE makes three languages compulsory for Classes 9 and 10 from July 1
Part of wider education reforms
The language reform is one part of larger curriculum changes being introduced under NEP 2020. Earlier this year, CBSE also announced reforms including phased implementation of the three-language formula from Class 6 onwards and new two-level systems for Mathematics and Science in Class 9.
Officials said to Hindustan Times, the overall goal is to create a more flexible and multidisciplinary education system that promotes communication skills, cultural understanding and broader learning experiences for students across India
