CBSE relief on three-language policy: Students of classes 7-9 allowed to continue studying two foreign languages ​​- Report

Sources in the education department told ANI that the Center has clarified that CBSE students currently studying in classes VII, VIII and IX who have opted for two foreign languages ​​under the three-language policy will be allowed to continue studying the same combination of subjects till class X.A few weeks ago, CBSE issued a notification saying that from July 1, students entering Class IX in the session 2026-27 will have to study three languages, at least two of which are Indian languages, as per the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The notification triggered protests by some students and parents and later a petition was filed in the Supreme Court.According to sources in the education ministry, the requirement of learning at least two Indian languages ​​will be applicable only to future students entering Class VI. There will be no retrospective implementation for students already studying in classes VII, VIII and IX.“As part of the trilingual policy, the requirement to study at least two Indian languages ​​will be implemented prospectively from Class VI and will not be retrospectively applied to students already studying in Classes VII, VIII and IX,” they said.However, this clarification should not be seen as a step back in policy. A senior Department of Education employee reportedly said: “This is not a step backwards. The provision is already there, it’s just not clear enough. It’s not clear enough, and this is just to provide that clarity.”“About 98.5 per cent of CBSE students already follow the three-language model. The issue concerns a small group of students, mostly in urban and metropolitan areas, some of whom have opted for two foreign languages. We make exceptions for these special circumstances, they added. A formal order reflecting the clarification is expected to be issued soon.Over a week ago, the Supreme Court refused to grant interim relief to CBSE’s petition challenging the implementation of the three-language policy for Class IX students during the academic year 2026-27. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana refused to stay the policy and directed that the plea be tagged along with a similar petition already pending in the court.The controversy began over CBSE’s May notification implementing the language provisions of the National Curriculum Framework, requiring students entering Class IX from the 2026-27 academic session to study three languages, including at least two Indian languages. The move has raised concerns among students who have already chosen two foreign languages ​​under the early years framework.