CBSE relaxes three language policy for Class 7, 8, 9; allows two foreign language options

The revised guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) stated that the existing batches of classes 7, 8 and 9, who have already taken two foreign languages, will continue the same with an additional major Indian Language (Bhartiya Bhasha).

In a circular issued in May, CBSE had stated that Class 9 students should also adopt the three-language policy, where two out of the three languages ​​they learn should be indigenous to India. Thereupon, the parents of students who were learning foreign languages ​​such as French, German, Japanese and Spanish and who were asked to change courses in the middle of the lesson protested this sudden change.

Last week, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had stated that students taking foreign languages ​​in Classes 7, 8, 9 can continue their studies with options of their own choice.

The education board stated that the current tenth grade group would not have to follow the new language policy.

The statement also stated that the current groups studying in the 7th, 8th and 9th grades will not be required to take the board exam in the third language when they move to the 10th grade.

Grade-appropriate source material will be made available on a timely basis.

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends learning three languages; At least two of the three languages ​​are indigenous to India.

“While CBSE aims to equip students with proficiency in multiple Bhartiya Bhashas (indigenous Indian languages) and promote the vibrancy of language learning, it is equally committed to ensuring that the process of learning and growth remains balanced,” CBSE said in a press release on Monday, June 29, 2026.

Furthermore, the introduction of a third language (R3) in the Secondary Stage (Class 9 and Class 10) is an extension of language learning from the Secondary Stage (Class 6 to 8).

In line with the above objectives, it is considered necessary to issue guidelines for the implementation of the Language Policy in schools affiliated to CBSE with effect from the Academic Session 2026-27.

CBSE reiterated that there will be no change for students in Class X in 2026-27 and they will continue with the old bilingual system. This group does not need to learn a third language.

Every student in Grade 9 would learn three languages. At least two of these three languages ​​will be Bhartiya Bhashas. Examples of Bhartiya Bhashas: Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese etc.

Examples of non-native languages ​​are English, French, German, Arabic, Spanish, etc. can be given. CBSE stated that the following situations will help clear any doubts (if any) in the minds of students of Class IX.

Case 1: You are already studying two Bhartiya Bhashas. Example: Hindi + Tamil

As your third language you can choose:

Another Bhartiya Bhasha

OR

A non-native language such as English or French.

Situation 2: You read a Bhartiya Bhasha and a non-native language

Example: Tamil + English

You can choose any Bhartiya Bhasha as third language (R3).

Case 3: You are learning two languages ​​that are not your native language

Example: English + French

As a special one-time relief for students already in Class IX in 2026-27, you may continue with these two non-native languages ​​and may have to add a Bhartiya Bhasha as your third language (R3).

Third language (R3) for Grade Nine will be assessed by your school through an in-school assessment only. CBSE has stated that there will be no CBSE Board examination for this third language when this batch advances to Class X 2027-28.

The press release states that CBSE and NCERT will provide classroom-appropriate learning resources to help students learn the third language.

“For students in Class VII or VIII in 2026-27, once you reach Classes IX and X, you will continue learning three languages, two of which will be Bhartiya Bhashas.

There is relaxation for the current batch of Class 7 (2026-27) and Class 8 (2026-27), students who choose and start studying 2 non-native languages ​​have to study an additional Bhartiya Bhasha and continue the same till the tenth class.

“Third language (R3) will be assessed by the school only through an in-school assessment. Once these groups progress to Class 10, there will be no CBSE Board examination for this third language.”

For Sixth Form, two out of three languages ​​for this group and onwards will be Bhartiya Bhasha. CBSE has stated that they will take the R3 Board exam when this batch and subsequent Class 6 batches advance to Class 10.

“Special R3 textbooks for sixth class in 22 planned Bhartiya Bhashas are being made available at www.ncert.nic.in,” CBSE said.

The following categories are exempt from the three-language policy: For Children with Special Needs (CwSN): Relaxations and exemptions from the compulsory third language requirement are granted under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

For Schools outside India: All CBSE schools outside India are granted full exemption from main Indian Language (R3) as third language.

CBSE stated that foreign students returning to India are also exempt (R3) from learning the native Indian language as a third language.

In case of parents/guardians migrating to another state, the student can also continue in the current language combination of their choice as R3 in the Intermediate Stage in Class IX. In such cases, schools must provide adequate resources to support the student’s choices.

“Flexible Staffing provisions have been provided. Schools are required to appoint existing teachers (functionally qualified), retired teachers, postgraduate students or use Sahodaya clusters (inter-school sharing) and virtual/hybrid teaching,” CBSE said.

“To promote positive learning experiences for students, the Board is taking measures to include innovative and fun learning resources, focus on conceptual clarity rather than rote learning, and maintain continuous assessment practices that include examination reforms. The Board reiterates that these practice guidelines have been issued to comply with NEP 2020 while safeguarding student interests.”

No student will be victimized due to this compliance. Our focus is not on exams, but on fun and meaningful language learning. CBSE will endeavor to keep schools in the best possible shape through additional learning resources (as required) and capacity building in the implementation of NEP 2020. “Schools are requested to communicate these provisions positively to teachers, students and parents, emphasizing the long-term benefits of multilingual competence and cultural rootedness.”