The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the three-language formula will be mandatory for Class 9 students from the academic year 2026-27. This policy aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes multilingualism.
According to the CBSE notification, students must study three languages, with at least two being native Indian languages. A foreign language can be taken as the third language only if the other two are Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language. The third language (R3) will not be a board examination subject.
This move aims to preserve linguistic diversity and ensure students gain proficiency in multiple Indian languages. Schools have been directed to implement the policy from the upcoming academic session.
