The Supreme Court asked CBSE and the Union government to clarify the new three-language policy for Class 9 within four weeks, setting the next hearing for July 15–16.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, issued notices after petitions challenged the policy introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Petitioners argued that the rule, set to begin in 2026, could burden students already preparing for board examinations.
The revised CBSE policy requires students to study three languages—R1, R2, and R3—with at least two being Indian. A foreign language can be chosen only if the other two are Indian. The board said the move aims to strengthen multilingual learning and promote Indian languages.
Petitioners described the rule as “arbitrary and cumbersome,” claiming it was introduced suddenly without consultation with schools, parents, or teachers. They warned that the additional language requirement could create stress for Class 9 students transitioning to board exams.
The Supreme Court observed that the issue requires consideration, but did not stay the policy’s implementation. The case has reignited debate over NEP 2020 reforms and whether such changes should be phased in gradually.
Parents, teachers, and schools now await clarity from CBSE, as uncertainty remains over whether the rule applies to current Class 10 students. The July hearing will determine the future course of one of the most debated education reforms in recent years.
