As per the circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), from July 1 onwards, it is mandatory for the students of Class IX to study three languages, out of which two languages should necessarily be Indian languages.
This is part of the initiatives taken by the CBSE in its attempt to synchronize its curriculum with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 and National Education Policy 2020.
The circular emphasizes that if the students decide to study any foreign language, then the same can be done only as their third language after studying two Indian languages or even as their fourth language.
"From July 1, 2026, onwards for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, and R3) will be compulsory, where at least two languages should be native Indian languages," the circular further noted.
There would not be any CBSE board exam for the third language at Class X level, said the CBSE, in an attempt to keep the focus on learning rather than burdening the students with unnecessary stress.
"Evaluation of every R3 test will be done only in the school itself. The CBSE certificates will rightly depict the results of R3 students. It is crystal clear that R3 does not impede any student from giving the CBSE board exams for Class X," the circular further informed.
Moreover, by June 30, the board had asked the schools to revise their language options in Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS platform.
Sharing resources between schools, virtual or hybrid classroom teaching assistance, and engaging postgraduate students and former language teachers are some temporary measures that schools facing the problem of insufficient qualified native Indian language teachers can take, based on the circular.
Special children will have concessions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and foreign students who return to India will not come under the provision of learning two native Indian languages.
