The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a plea challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students from July 1.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), seeking comprehensive replies within two weeks.
The apex court also asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to place on record the logistical preparedness of the CBSE to implement the decision. The matter has been listed for hearing in the second week of July.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for petitioner Yashica Bhandari Jain and others, argued that the CBSE had issued a nationwide circular making the three-language formula compulsory from the next academic session.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for some other petitioners, submitted that the issue involved constitutional questions related to federalism and individual choice.
“Language is a matter of choice, and cannot be imposed,” Sibal argued before the court.
The Supreme Court, however, declined to pass any interim order at this stage.
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CBSE policy under challenge
According to a circular issued by the CBSE on May 15, the study of three languages — R1, R2 and R3 — will become compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, 2026, with at least two being native Indian languages.
The move forms part of the board’s alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
The CBSE clarified that students opting for a foreign language could study it only as a third language after learning two Indian languages, or as an optional fourth language.
The board also said no Class 10 board examination would be conducted for the third language and assessments would remain entirely school-based.
To address teacher shortages, the CBSE proposed interim measures such as inter-school resource sharing, virtual teaching support and engagement of retired language teachers.
The board further said relaxations would be provided for children with special needs and exemptions could be granted to foreign students returning to India on a case-by-case basis.
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