The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has formally introduced the three-language policy, making the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class 9 onwards, beginning July 1, 2026. The Board clarified that there would be no board exam for the third language, which will be assessed internally by schools.
According to CBSE's official notification, the policy aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends multilingualism. Students must choose three languages from a list that includes Hindi, English, Sanskrit, and other Indian languages. The third language will be evaluated through school-based assessments, not external exams.
This change applies to the academic session 2026-27 for Classes 9 and 10. CBSE stated that the move aims to promote linguistic diversity and cultural understanding among students. Schools have been directed to implement the policy from the start of the new session.
