ArdorComm Media News Network
September 4, 2026
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it is working on modalities to implement the CBSE’s new three-language requirement for Class 9 students, under which at least two of the three languages must be Indian languages.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the CBSE was examining various aspects of the implementation and requested additional time. The Supreme Court accepted the submission and adjourned the matter for a week.
The development comes after the top court raised concerns on August 20 about the practical challenges associated with introducing the policy. While the bench indicated that there was no objection to the eventual introduction of the three-language system, it stressed that the implementation should not place undue pressure on students.
The court also highlighted the need to address practical issues, including ensuring sufficient teachers and other human resources for the range of languages that students may choose.
The Supreme Court had first agreed on May 27 to hear a challenge to the CBSE policy and issued notices to the Centre, CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Under a CBSE circular issued on May 15, the study of three languages — R1, R2 and R3 — became compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, 2026. At least two of the three languages are required to be native Indian languages.
The policy is part of the CBSE’s efforts to align its academic framework with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
Students who wish to study a foreign language can select it only as their third language after taking two Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.
To support the transition, the CBSE has directed that students use Class 6 R3 textbooks from the 2026-27 edition until dedicated Class 9 R3 textbooks become available.
The board has also clarified that there will be no Class 10 board examination for R3. The provision is intended to keep the emphasis on language learning while preventing additional academic pressure on students.
Schools were further instructed to update their R3 language options for Classes 6 to 9 on the CBSE’s OASIS portal by June 30.
The ongoing Supreme Court proceedings are focused primarily on resolving implementation-related concerns, including infrastructure, staffing and ensuring that the policy does not create unnecessary difficulties for students.
Source: PTI