Supreme Court To Examine Petitions Challenging CBSE Three-Language Policy

The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to examine petitions questioning the legality of the CBSE’s revised three-language framework for Class 9 students.

The updated policy requires students to learn three languages, including two Indian languages, from the ongoing academic year.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, issued notices to the Centre, CBSE and NCERT seeking their responses on the matter.

The apex court did not grant any temporary relief against the implementation of the policy.

The Bench said it would hear the matter in detail during the second week of July after the summer vacation concludes.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner, argued that schools were unprepared for the sudden implementation of the policy. He told the court that textbooks and other teaching resources were still unavailable.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing another petitioner, submitted that language selection should remain voluntary. He further argued that the matter raised constitutional questions linked to federal principles.

The court clarified that it was currently focusing only on implementation-related issues, including the availability of teachers and learning materials.

CBSE issued the May 15 circular as part of the transition towards the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

According to the revised guidelines, students in Class 9 must study three languages labelled as R1, R2 and R3. At least two of these languages must be Indian languages.

The Board allowed students to choose foreign languages only as the third language or as an optional fourth subject. It also clarified that schools would use Class 6 study material for the additional language until new textbooks are introduced.

CBSE further announced that there would be no Board examination for the third language in Class 10. The assessment will remain internal.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai criticised the immediate implementation of the revised framework. He said the move could place additional pressure on students and parents, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where language issues are politically sensitive.

Annamalai also referred to the earlier guidelines. He claimed the policy for Class 9 students would come into effect from the 2029–30 academic session. According to him, the implementation timeline has now changed.

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