CBSE Introduces Mandatory Third Language Requirement for Students
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a significant change in its educational framework by making the third language a mandatory subject for students in grades 9 and 10. This policy, effective from the 2026-27 academic year, requires students to pass a school-based assessment in the third language to obtain their Secondary School Examination Pass Certificate. The new directive aims to enhance multilingualism and preserve Indian languages, while also ensuring that students fulfill this requirement before completing their secondary education. As the policy approaches implementation, schools and parents are keenly observing its legal implications and practical application.
Jul 14, 2026, 12:02 IST
Significant Changes in School Education Framework
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has implemented a major reform in the school education framework under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to a new circular issued by CBSE, students in grades 9 and 10 will now be required to study a third language (Third Language - R3) as a qualifying subject. This policy will be fully enforced for students entering grade 9 in the academic session 2026-27 and for those entering grade 10 in 2027-28.
Assessment of Third Language Becomes Mandatory
As per the circular released on July 10, students entering grade 10 in the 2027-28 academic year must pass a school-based assessment in the third language (R3) to obtain their Secondary School Examination Pass Certificate. If a student fails to qualify in the internal assessment during grade 10, schools are required to conduct a reassessment before the final board results are announced. Although there will be no board examination for this subject, passing the internal assessment is now essential for completing grade 10.
Grade 9 Students Given Another Chance
The circular also clarifies the policy for grade 9 students. Those who do not pass the school-based assessment in the third language will still be promoted to grade 10 during the 2027-28 academic year. However, they must complete the pending assessment for the third language from grade 9 while studying in grade 10. This rule ensures that students are not held back in grade 9, but they must fulfill the language requirement before completing their secondary education.
Three-Language Formula from Grade 6
This new directive follows a circular issued by CBSE on June 29, which announced the implementation of the three-language formula starting from grade 6 and beyond in the 2026-27 academic session.
Under the revised framework, students will study three languages, with at least two being native languages of India. Students in grades 7, 8, and 9 who have already chosen an additional foreign language alongside English will be allowed to continue studying that foreign language. However, they will also need to learn a native Indian language as their third language.
Legal Challenge to the Policy
The implementation of the revised language policy has reached the courts. A writ petition challenging the CBSE circular regarding the three-language formula is currently under consideration. Petitioners have requested the court to restore the previous status announced by CBSE on April 9, which postponed the mandatory implementation of the third language at the grade 9 level until the 2029-30 academic session.
In response, the Ministry of Education filed a nine-page counter-affidavit on July 13, defending the policy. This affidavit was submitted by Subhash Chand, Under Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, following a notice issued by the Supreme Court on May 27, 2026.
The government argued that education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, granting both the central and state governments the authority to implement the national education policy.
Furthermore, the government stated that the three-language formula promotes significant public objectives, including fostering multilingualism, preserving Indian languages, enhancing cognitive development among students, and promoting national unity and cultural diversity. Through the recently issued circular, CBSE has firmly linked the necessity of the third language to the pass certificate for grade 10. This marks a significant shift in secondary school education under the NEP 2020 framework.
While this subject will not be part of the board examination, students must pass the school-level assessment to obtain their pass certificate. As this policy approaches implementation in the 2027-28 academic session, schools, students, and parents will closely monitor its legal aspects and the actual process of implementation.