Newspunjab
May 17,2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education has made the study of three languages mandatory for class 9 students from July 1, 2026, under its new language policy. According to the board’s circular issued on May 15, students will have to study at least two native Indian languages, while a foreign language can be chosen as a third or additional fourth language.
CBSE has clarified that there will be no board examination for Third Language (R3) in Class 10. The assessment of this subject will be entirely school-based and internal. Although the performance report of R3 will be recorded in the CBSE certificate, no student will be deprived of the 10th board examination due to this.
New rule comes into effect from July
CBSE says the policy is not intended to pressure children with additional exams, but to encourage language learning. The 2026-27 academic session has been considered a “transition year” during which schools will be given flexibility to implement the new system so that students do not have to face sudden changes.
Special discounts for schools
Considering the shortage of language teachers, CBSE has given several options to schools:
Use of online and hybrid education
Sharing teachers with other school
Taking help from retired teachers
Giving the responsibility of teaching the language to teachers with language knowledge in other subjects
In addition, all schools will be required to update their language information on the OASIS portal by June 30, 2026.
