NEW DELHI — Starting July 1, students entering Class 9 under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be required to study three languages, with the third language exempt from board examinations in Class 10. This directive, issued via a circular on May 15, aims to align the board's curriculum with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
The core of the change dictates that students must engage with three languages (designated R1, R2, and R3). Crucially, at least two of these must be indigenous Indian languages. Foreign languages can only be offered as the third language if the initial two are Indian, or alternatively, as an optional fourth language. The board has emphasized that performance in this third language will be noted on student certificates but will not carry the weight of a board exam at the Class 10 level, a measure intended to reduce academic pressure.
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The circular also addresses practicalities of implementation. Schools encountering a shortage of qualified teachers for native Indian languages are permitted interim measures, including sharing resources between institutions, utilizing virtual or hybrid teaching methods, and hiring retired language educators or qualified postgraduate individuals. For Class 9 students transitioning into this new structure, interim arrangements involve the temporary use of Class VI textbooks for the chosen third language until secondary-level materials are developed.
The decision marks a shift from a previously announced phased approach. An earlier curriculum revision had made the three-language formula mandatory only from Class 6 this year. However, the board has now decided to accelerate its implementation for Classes 9 and 10, stating the scheme of studies is being aligned with the NCERT syllabus. Exemptions and accommodations are to be considered on a case-by-case basis for students with special needs, foreign students, and CBSE schools located abroad.
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This move is part of a broader restructuring that includes introducing two levels for mathematics and science – a mandatory standard level and an optional advanced course. Students will sit for a common 80-mark examination for these subjects, with an additional advanced paper available for those seeking deeper conceptual engagement. The CBSE has also recently defended its on-screen marking system amidst questions regarding the assessment of Class 12 papers.
