The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend to Class 6 students the same relaxation from the three-language policy that is available to students of Class 7, as an interim measure.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing petitions challenging the implementation of CBSE’s three-language policy. The challenge concerns the requirement for students to study three languages, including two Indian languages, under the revised scheme being implemented from the 2026-27 academic year.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the petitioners raised concerns over the implementation of the policy on students who had already selected their languages several years earlier. It was submitted that students who had been studying languages such as Spanish from Class 4 were now being asked to switch to languages such as Sanskrit.
Counsel submitted that the sudden implementation was causing difficulty for students and schools, particularly in relation to teachers and textbooks. The submission was also made that the policy was originally contemplated for implementation from 2030, but was being introduced from 2026 without an adequate transition period.
The Court stressed that the immediate concern was the impact of the policy on students already in the middle of their schooling.
SG Tushar Mehta:
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“There are a limited number of students. They will adapt.
Justice Bagchi:
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“That is what we don’t want. We want comfort, not difficulty. Not to keep challenging them.”
Counsel appearing for the petitioners responded that this was precisely the concern being raised and sought that the implementation for Class 6 students be deferred.
On the availability of textbook ASG submitted that books had been made available online, counsel for the petitioners pointed out that physical textbooks were not available and argued that merely uploading books online did not address the practical difficulties faced by students.
The petitioners also raised concerns regarding the assessment framework for the third language, particularly for Class 9 students who would subsequently appear for Class 10 examinations. It was submitted that students could face difficulties if the third language assessment remained a requirement for obtaining the Class 10 pass certificate.
The Court ultimately extended to Class 6 students the relaxation already available to Class 7 students. Under the arrangement discussed before the Court, students would continue studying the third language but would not be held back on account of failing that language assessment.
Counsel also raised concern over the CBSE requirement that students must pass the third-language assessment to obtain their Class 10 board certificate, submitting that although students only need to qualify, withholding the certificate could create difficulties for them. Justice Joymalya Bagchi responded that if any school actually withheld a student’s certificate on this ground, “we will immediately intervene.” When counsel questioned why the Court should wait for such an eventuality to occur, Justice Bagchi clarified that the concern was presently only a “reasonable apprehension”, adding, “So, we want to see one school holding back in an internal assessment a student.”