Supreme Court To Hear Plea Against CBSE’s Three-Language Rule For Class 9 Next Week | Education and Career News
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CBSE mandates that from July 1, Class 9 students must study three languages (R1, R2, R3), with at least two being Indian languages.
SC Chief Justice said the case would be scheduled during the court’s miscellaneous hearing week next week. (Photo: PTI)
The Supreme Court of India has said it will take up next week a petition opposing the new policy of the Central Board of Secondary Education that requires Class 9 students to study three languages, including at least two Indian native languages, starting July 1, reported PTI.
The matter was mentioned urgently before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioners—students, parents, and teachers—argued that the policy introduces an unnecessary academic burden.
Calling it an urgent public interest litigation, he urged the court to list it for immediate hearing, warning that the change would lead to confusion and disruption in schools. The Chief Justice responded that the case would be scheduled during the court’s miscellaneous hearing week next week.
The CBSE’s revised framework, issued through a recent circular, mandates that from July 1, Class 9 students must study three languages (R1, R2, and R3), with at least two being Indian languages. The reform is part of the board’s effort to align its curriculum with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
Under the new structure, students may choose a foreign language only as the third or fourth language after completing the requirement of two Indian languages. The board has also clarified that R3 will not carry a board exam in Class 10; instead, it will be assessed internally by schools and reflected in student certificates.
Until dedicated textbooks are ready, Class 9 students will use Class 6-level materials for the third language. The CBSE has also instructed schools to update their language offerings on the OASIS portal and said supplementary teaching material will be allowed to support learning.
To address implementation challenges, the board has suggested flexible arrangements such as inter-school collaboration, online teaching support, and engagement of retired or qualified language teachers. It has also provided relaxations for children with special needs and possible exemptions for foreign-returned students.
Alongside the language policy, CBSE has also outlined future academic reforms, including a two-level system for mathematics and science at the secondary level, expected to roll out with the 2026–27 cohort.
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