CBSE lays the groundwork for mother tongue instruction from pre-primary through class five.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has requested that all affiliated schools map students' mother tongues "as soon as possible" and align instructional materials with this information before the end of the summer break, indicating the Center's intention to make mother tongue instruction mandatory at the primary level going forward.
In primary courses at CBSE schools around the nation, English is currently the most commonly used language of instruction. With more than 30,000 affiliated schools, the CBSE is the biggest national school board.
According to the CBSE circular, instruction should be in the child's mother tongue, home language, or a well-known regional language from pre-primary to Class 2, which is referred to as the "foundational stage" under the National Education Policy 2020. Ideally, this language—known as "R1"—should be the mother tongue. According to the circular, if that isn't feasible, the state language may be used, provided that the youngster is accustomed to it.
According to the circular, pupils in classes three through five have the choice of continuing to learn in their mother tongue or other familiar regional language (R1) or switching to a different medium (R2).
For the first time, the CBSE has hinted that it would mandate mother tongue instruction in its schools. Up until now, the Board had only promoted its usage through advisory circulars after the publication of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 and the NEP 2020.
Using the mother tongue in early education, particularly at the foundational stage, until the age of eight is advised by both NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023. According to the NCFSE 2023, "the primary medium of instruction would optimally be the child's home language, mother tongue, or familiar language since children learn concepts most rapidly and deeply in their home language."