CBSE eases shift to three-language policy, no third language board exam for current Class 9 batch

CBSE has announced a one-time transition plan for its upcoming three-language policy, clarifying that students currently in Class 9 will not have to take a board examination in the third language when they appear for their Class 10 board exams.

Students in the present Class 10 batch will also continue under the existing two-language examination system.

The Board said the revised language guidelines will be implemented from the 2026-27 academic session in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Under the new framework, students entering Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic year will study three languages, with at least two being Bhartiya Bhashas (Indian languages).

To ease the transition, CBSE has granted a one-time exemption for students currently studying in Class 9.

While they will be required to study a third language, it will be assessed only through an internal school evaluation and will not be included in the CBSE Class 10 board examination when they appear in 2027-28.

The same relaxation will apply to students currently enrolled in Classes 7 and 8. Those who have already opted for two foreign languages may continue studying them but will need to add one Bhartiya Bhasha.

They, too, will be exempt from taking a board examination in the third language when they reach Class 10.

According to CBSE, the temporary relaxation is intended to ensure a smooth shift to the revised language policy without affecting students already following the existing curriculum.

The three-language formula forms part of NEP 2020, which recommends that students learn three languages during their school education, with at least two being native Indian languages.

The policy does not prescribe any specific language but seeks to encourage multilingualism while promoting Indian languages.

Students already studying two Indian languages may choose either another Indian language or a non-native language, such as English, French, or German, as their third language.

Those studying one Indian language along with one foreign language will be required to opt for another Bhartiya Bhasha.

As part of the transition, students currently in Class 9 who are studying two foreign languages, such as English and French, will be allowed to continue with both while adding one Bhartiya Bhasha as their third language.

CBSE has also provided exemptions from the compulsory Indian third language requirement for specific categories, including children with special needs covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, CBSE-affiliated schools located outside India, and foreign students returning to India.

The Board said it will provide grade-appropriate learning resources and extend implementation support to schools adopting the new policy.

"No student shall be disadvantaged due to this alignment. The focus remains on joyful, meaningful language learning, not on examination," it said.