Supreme Court refuses to stay CBSE policy mandating two regional languages for Class 9-10; issues notice

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to give directions to stay the CBSE's policy to implement the studying of two regional languages for students of classes 9-10 beginning 1 July, 2026. However it did agree to examine a plea challenging the same.

A bench led by CJI Surya Kant has issued notice to the school eudcation board seeking a response to a batch of pleas challenging the two native languages mandate. The Court has listed the matter to be heard on 15-16 July. Notices have also been sent to the Centre and the NCERT, and their replies have been sought within two weeks.

The apex court has asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to submit a report on the logistical preparedness of the board to implement the new policy.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner Yashica Bhandari Jain and others, submitted that a nationwide circular has been issued by the CBSE, which states that the students have to study three languages from the next academic year.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for some other petitioners, said the issue involved constitutional issues of federalism and choice.

Language is a matter of choice, and cannot be imposed, Sibal submitted.

As per a recent circular issued by the CBSE, the study of three languages, among which two are native, have been made compulsory for students of classes 9 and 10.

This move is a part of the CBSE's alignment of its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

"In order to adequately address the competencies envisaged at the Secondary Stage, these textbooks will be supplemented with one appropriate local or state literary material, selected by schools, such as short stories, poems, or nonfiction works," the board said.

The board had also mentioned that detailed guidelines regarding the selection and pedagogical use of supplementary literary material would be issued by June 15.

As per the circular issued on 15 May, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.

"With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages," the circular said.

The board said till the dedicated R3 textbooks are made available, student sof Class 9 will use the Class 6 R3 textbooks (2026-27 edition) of the chosen language.

"All assessments for R3 shall be entirely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate. It is clarified that no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3. Sample question papers, rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the board shortly," it added.

Schools will be receiving Class 6 R3 textbooks in 19 languages before 1 July, the CBSE has said. And for the remaining native Indian languages, schools have been asked to use the available State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and state-level resources.

The board said that if schools face a shortage of adequately qualified teachers for the native Indian languages, they can, for the time being, engage existing teachers of other languages who have functional proficiency in said language.

"Collaborative and flexible mechanisms such as inter-school resource sharing through Sahodaya clusters, virtual or hybrid teaching support, engagement of retired language teachers, and utilisation of suitably qualified postgraduates may be adopted," it added.

The CBSE further said relaxations would be provided to children with special needs in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, while foreign students returning to India may get case-by-case exemptions from the requirement of studying two native Indian languages.

Under the proposed structure, mathematics and science will have two levels -- mandatory standard and optional advanced courses. While all students will appear for a common 80-mark examination, those opting for higher proficiency can take an additional advance-level paper aimed at testing deeper conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills.

With agency inputs