Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Government Reconsiders CBSE Three-Language Rule for Class VI Students
The government wants some CBSE students to learn three languages instead of two.
For Classes VI to VIII, two of the languages must be Indian languages.
The government started this rule for the current school year.
The Supreme Court said the change might surprise students and families.
It suggested starting the Class VI requirement next year instead.
The court mentioned January 2027 as a possible start date.
The government first defended the rule by saying Class VI students had four years before their board exams.
After the court’s comments, the government agreed to reconsider.
The court will hear the matter again on Wednesday.
The Centre agreed to reconsider applying CBSE’s three-language policy to Class VI students this academic year.
The Supreme Court suggested delaying the requirement until January 2027 to give students more time to adjust.
Under the policy, Classes VI to VIII must study two Indian languages out of three.
The policy also increased language requirements for Classes IX and X, with exemptions for some current students.
The Centre is expected to announce its decision at the next hearing on Wednesday.
- Who
- The Centre, the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE students and the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
- What
- The government agreed to reconsider whether Class VI students should be covered by the new three-language policy this academic year.
- When
- The decision was discussed on Thursday; the court suggested January 2027, and the next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
- Where
- The matter was heard by the Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- The court said the sudden policy change had surprised students and suggested giving them more time to adjust.
Court and Student-Comfort View
Government Policy View
Timing of the Class VI requirement
Court and Student-Comfort View
The Supreme Court suggested delaying the requirement until January 2027 so students have time to adjust.
Government Policy View
The government initially argued that Class VI students have four years before their board examinations and therefore enough time to prepare.
Effect of the policy change
Court and Student-Comfort View
The court said the sudden introduction had taken schoolchildren by surprise and suggested making the rule optional this year.
Government Policy View
The government defended the broader language policy and said the CBSE committee had not agreed to exempt Class VI students.
Language policy itself
Court and Student-Comfort View
The court said the policy could be introduced later for students’ comfort rather than immediately.
Government Policy View
Justice Mohana described the language policy as a good one, while the government agreed only to reconsider its timing.
- Policy requirement
- Classes VI to VIII must study two Indian languages out of three.
- Current Class VI students
- The government is reconsidering whether they should be exempted this academic year.
- Suggested start date
- The Supreme Court suggested applying the Class VI requirement from January 2027.
- Classes IX and X
- The CBSE increased the number of languages from two to three, with a two-Indian-language requirement.
- Class IX concession
- Current Class IX students who had already chosen two foreign languages may study one Indian language.
- Next hearing
- The next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
- Academic year
- The school academic year begins in April.