CBSE Third-Language Rule: Supreme Court Extends Exemption to Class 6 Students
The Supreme Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend the same exemption from the mandatory third-language policy to Class 6 students that has already been granted to students in Classes 7, 8, and 9. Emphasizing student comfort, the court ordered that the policy be implemented for Class 6 starting April 1, 2027.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend to current Class 6 students the same exemption from the three-language policy that has been granted to students of Classes 7, 8 and 9. The court said the new arrangement should be implemented for the Class 6 batch from April 1, 2027, giving students and schools more time to adjust.
Class 6 Students Get Transitional Relief
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the present Class 6 students should receive the same relief as the older transition batches. CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Admit Card 2026 Released at cbse.gov.in; Exam Begins May 15.
The exemption means the students will study the third language under the policy but will not face a CBSE Board examination in that language in Class 10 under the transitional arrangement. The third language is instead subject to internal assessment.
Court Raises Concern Over Mid-Year Changes
The direction came during the hearing of petitions challenging aspects of CBSE's three-language policy. The court expressed concern about asking students to change their language choices after the academic session had already begun. CBSE Makes 3 Languages Compulsory for Class 9 From July 2026: Full List of Languages Students Can Choose From.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the court wanted students to have "comfort, not difficulty" while adjusting to the new system. The bench indicated that postponing implementation for the current Class 6 batch would provide schools additional time to arrange teachers and learning materials.
Centre Had Opposed Class 6 Exemption
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the government was not initially inclined to exempt the current Class 6 batch. The Centre informed the bench that nearly 99% of CBSE schools had adopted the three-language policy and had the necessary facilities, while around 1.2% were facing difficulties. The court nevertheless directed that the current Class 6 students be given the same transitional relief as the higher classes.
Parents Raise Textbook, Language Concerns
Lawyers representing parents and schools raised concerns about the availability of textbooks and the practical difficulties involved in changing languages after students had already begun their academic year. The petitioners also argued that some students had been studying particular languages for several years and could face difficulties if required to switch suddenly.
Larger Policy Issue Still Pending
The Supreme Court's latest direction is an interim measure and does not settle the broader legal challenges to CBSE's three-language policy. The court is also examining wider questions concerning the policy, including issues surrounding the classification of languages and its implementation under the National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. The court has therefore provided temporary relief to the current Class 6 batch while the broader challenge to the language framework remains before it.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2026 05:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
