Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced a revised language policy for Class 9 students, making the study of three languages compulsory from July 1, 2026, for the 2026–27 academic session.
The move comes as part of the board’s efforts to align school education with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy.
Under the revised framework, students will now be required to study at least two Indian languages. Foreign languages will no longer be permitted as standalone options and can only be selected alongside Indian languages or as an optional fourth subject.
The board also clarified that there will be no separate Class 10 board examination conducted for the third language subject.
According to CBSE, the revised structure is intended to strengthen multilingual learning while promoting Indian languages in line with the broader educational goals of the National Education Policy.
To support schools during the transition phase, CBSE has announced several implementation measures including flexible teaching arrangements, textbook support and transitional guidelines for institutions adapting to the new policy.
The board stated that these measures are aimed at ensuring a smoother rollout across schools affiliated with CBSE throughout the country.
The revised language structure is expected to impact lakhs of students entering Class 9 from the 2026–27 academic session onwards.
Education experts believe the decision could encourage greater linguistic diversity and strengthen regional language learning among students, while also providing schools flexibility in implementation.
The policy announcement has already sparked discussions among parents, educators and students regarding curriculum planning, teacher availability and the practical implementation of multilingual education in schools across India.
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