CBSE gives relief to Class 10 students, exempts current batch from three-language policy
New Delhi: Current Class 10 students will not be required to follow the CBSE's new three-language policy, the board has clarified, offering major relief to lakhs of students and parents amid confusion over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-linked language framework.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday issued fresh guidelines on its revised language policy, confirming that the ongoing Class 10 batch has been exempted from the new requirement as a special measure.
The clarification comes after concerns were raised by parents and students over the board's earlier decision to make three-language learning mandatory for students from Class 9 onward. The issue had also reached the courts, with several petitions challenging aspects of the policy.
Who gets exemption from the new CBSE language rules?
According to the latest CBSE notification, students currently studying in Class 10 will continue under the existing system and will not be affected by the new three-language requirement.
The board has also stated that students presently studying in Classes 7, 8 and 9 will not be required to take a board examination in a third language when they move to Class 10.
The announcement effectively ensures that students already midway through their secondary education will not face sudden academic changes.
One-time relaxation for current Class 9 students
CBSE has introduced a special transition arrangement for students currently enrolled in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic year.
Under this one-time relaxation, these students may continue studying two foreign or non-native languages, provided they also add one Indian language as their third language.
The move is aimed at easing the shift to the new framework while ensuring gradual alignment with the board's language policy.
What is the CBSE three-language formula?
In April, CBSE announced the phased rollout of a three-language structure beginning from Class 6 as part of broader academic reforms linked to the National Education Policy.
The board later clarified that students opting for a foreign language would be allowed to do so only after fulfilling the requirement of studying Indian languages. A foreign language can be taken either as the third language after two Indian languages or as an additional fourth language.
The revised framework seeks to strengthen multilingual learning while promoting Indian languages in school education.
With PTI inputs