The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued fresh guidelines on the three-language policy. As per the new guidelines issued, the current batch of Class 10 students will not have to follow the revised three-language policy, providing relief to students preparing for their board examinations.
CBSE Academics Director Praggya M. Singh said the Board has issued revised guidelines under which the current Class 10 batch will not be required to follow the updated three-language policy.
The official notice reads, "It is reiterated that there will be no change for students who are in Class X during 2026–27, and they will continue with the old system of two languages. No third language is required to be taken by this batch."
The Board has also granted a one-time relaxation to students currently studying in Class 9. Under the revised guidelines, these students will be permitted to continue studying two foreign languages and one Indian language.
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In the fresh guidelines, the Board has also stated that the current batches studying in Class 7, 8 and 9 would not be required to give Board examination in third language when they progress to Class 10.
{{/usCountry}}In the fresh guidelines, the Board has also stated that the current batches studying in Class 7, 8 and 9 would not be required to give Board examination in third language when they progress to Class 10.
{{/usCountry}}The clarification comes weeks after CBSE issued a circular in May stating that, from July 1, students entering Class IX would be required to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages, in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
Prior to the latest clarification, CBSE had stated that students studying in Classes 7, 8 and 9 who had opted for two foreign languages under the existing three-language policy would be allowed to continue with the same subject combination until Class 10.
CBSE’s three-language policy was challenged in the Supreme Court on May 27, when a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant agreed to examine a batch of petitions challenging the policy.
The bench questioned whether schools had adequate books, teachers and infrastructure, observing that there appeared to be “issues of hardship, inconvenience and logistical support” requiring immediate attention.
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The lead petition — filed by 19 parents and teachers from Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Chennai — argues the May 15 circular marked a sudden reversal of CBSE’s stated position, disrupting academic planning already undertaken by schools and families. The matter will be heard in the second week of July.