SC stresses no pressure on children, seeks solution to CBSE's three-language policy for Class 9

For context, the Supreme Court on Thursday emphasised that children should not be subjected to pressure and pressed a solution to worries arising from the CBSE policy requiring Class 9 students to study three languages.

Key points

• The board remarked till the dedicated R3 textbooks are available, Class 9 students shall apply the Class 6 R3 textbooks (2026-27 edition) of the chosen language.
• The board additionally asked schools to update their R3 language offerings for Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal by June 30.
• If you have chosen Class 6 as the starting point, you may consider giving a reprieve to Class 6 students of this year.
• He remarked for Classes 6 to 8, the CBSE has no jurisdiction or authority to frame the curriculum as this has to be done by the NCERT.
• According to The CJI, learning any language is a major asset and something invaluable.

For context, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed there was nothing wrong in introducing the policy but the only concern raised by the petitioners was regarding the manner in which it was being introduced.

"Some of these challenges, you may revisit. There is no doubt that sooner or afterwards, it has to be introduced. There is nothing wrong with that. But how it is to be streamlined so that whatever impediments or blockades are coming up, you may find a solution to those, " the bench informed Further Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.

Meanwhile, the bench remarked one of the aspects that was required to be considered was how to build adequate human resource infrastructure with regard to the language options available.

"If you have chosen Class 6 as the starting point, you may consider giving a reprieve to Class 6 students of this year. You can introduce it from next year, " it remarked.

"Another thing which needs to be looked into is where do you draw the line. Whether it is Class 6, Class 4 or Class 3. You can take a call depending on the curriculum and where the choice between two and three languages is first introduced, " the bench remarked.

Third language score of Class IX not relevant for Class X boards It remarked one of the worries was whether we consider English a native language or a foreign language.

"As the Union of India, you will also have to see that other than the CBSE, what is happening in other boards, " the bench informed Bhati, adding that it has to be ensured that the roll-out of the policy is appropriately undertaken.

Bhati remarked she would take instructions on the suggestions and secure back to the court.

"We don't want the children to come under any pressure, " the CJI remarked.

In practice, the top court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the CBSE's policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students from July 1.

At the outset, senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for some of the petitioners, informed the bench that the problem relates to three languages and they were concerned with Class 6.

According to The CJI, learning any language is a major asset and something invaluable. Grover remarked there have to be qualified teachers for this.

"If they are introducing a language, they will additionally have plan for teachers. It is their obligation, " the bench observed, adding, it will take the schools to task if they are erring. According to The bench, the CBSE has given options of 23 languages.

"Let us not have any impression of inferiority complex with respect to regional languages. We should respect all these languages as much as any other language, " it remarked.

For context, the bench remarked whenever a new concept is introduced, it is natural to have some apprehensions.

"We can constitute an expert committee ourselves or ask the government to constitute an expert committee so that as and when the difficulties arise, they can make recommendations and find solutions, " it remarked.

Bhati remarked, "We want to support our children in the best possible manner". She remarked thousands of experts were consulted in the process.

"The CBSE is one of of the boards in the country. There are 33, 000 odd schools out of a total 7.5 lakh schools. Around 4.45 percent schools are CBSE schools in India and 99.19 schools are already compliant of the two native languages, " she said, adding, "Language is a vehicle of a culture".

Justice Bagchi observed he personally had a serious reservation regarding the expression "native".

"It has a colonial connotation. It should be indigenous, " he remarked, adding that framers of the policy should have been conscious of the words they have employed. It posted the matter for further hearing after 10 days.

'Introduce any new language in Class 5 or 6 instead, not Class 9': SC to Centre on CBSE's third-language policy On May 27, the top court had agreed to examine a plea challenging the policy and issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT seeking their responses.

According to a circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, has been created compulsory for Class 9 students beginning July 1.

For context, the move is part of the CBSE's alignment of its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023.

According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an extra fourth language.

"With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages, " the circular remarked.

In practice, the board remarked till the dedicated R3 textbooks are available, Class 9 students shall apply the Class 6 R3 textbooks (2026-27 edition) of the chosen language.

Notably, the CBSE remarked to keep the focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students, no board examination shall be conducted for R3 at the Class 10 level.

In practice, the board additionally asked schools to update their R3 language offerings for Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal by June 30.

For now, SC stresses no pressure on children, seeks solution to CBSE' s three remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.