CBSE three-language policy in Class 9 challenged in Supreme Court, hearing next week

A PIL challenging CBSE's newly announced three-language policy has been filed in the Supreme Court by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi. He argued that forcing Class 9 students to suddenly study additional languages could create "chaos" for students preparing for Class 10 board examinations. The Supreme Court will hear the plea next week.

In Short

• CBSE circular issued on May 15 revises language rules for Class 9
• From July 1 2026 three languages become compulsory for Class 9 students
• At least two of the mandated languages must be native Indian languages

A newly announced language policy by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now reached the Supreme Court, with concerns being raised over its implementation for Class 9 students from the upcoming academic session.

A PIL challenging the policy was mentioned before the Supreme Court on Thursday by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who argued that the sudden introduction of additional compulsory languages could create confusion and academic pressure for students.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the matter next week after the issue was urgently mentioned before the bench headed by the Chief Justice of India.

‘THIS WILL CREATE CHAOS’: ROHATGI

While mentioning the PIL before the court, Rohatgi strongly questioned the practicality of implementing the policy for students already approaching board examinations.

“I don’t know how a student of Class 9 can suddenly take two more languages and give exam in 10th,” he argued before the court.

Calling the move disruptive, the senior advocate warned that the policy could create “chaos” among students, schools and parents.

He urged the court to hear the matter urgently considering the impact on lakhs of CBSE students across the country.

Responding to the submission, the Chief Justice said, “We will take it next week.”

WHAT IS THE NEW CBSE LANGUAGE POLICY?

The controversy centres around a new CBSE circular issued on May 15 regarding the implementation of a revised three-language framework for students entering Class 9.

According to the board, the policy will come into effect from July 1, 2026.

The circular states: “With effect from 1st July 2026, for Class 9, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages.”

Under the new structure, students wishing to study a foreign language can do so only if the other two languages are Indian languages. Alternatively, the foreign language may be studied as an additional fourth language.

CBSE has also clarified that the third language will not be included in board examinations and will instead be internally assessed by schools.

CONCERNS OVER IMPLEMENTATION GROW

The policy has already sparked discussions among educators and parents over how schools will manage additional language requirements within existing academic schedules.

Questions are also being raised regarding teacher availability, timetable adjustments and the preparedness of students who may now need to adapt to new language subjects within a short period.

The matter is now expected to come up before the Supreme Court next week, where the court may examine both the policy framework and the concerns surrounding its implementation.

- Ends