CBSE Faces Backlash Over Abrupt Shift in Three-Language Policy

The national board’s sudden mandate for Class 9 students to adopt a third language has sparked controversy and legal scrutiny, contradicting its own previous governance decisions.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has come under fire following a circular issued on May 15, which mandates a three-language curriculum for Class 9 students starting July 1. This directive requires students to study three languages—designated as R1, R2, and R3—with at least two being native Indian languages. The abrupt policy shift has triggered criticism from political circles and prompted intervention from the Supreme Court, which has sought formal responses from both the board and the NCERT regarding the logistical viability of the change.

A Reversal of Governance

The controversy centers on a significant contradiction within the board's own internal records. Meeting minutes from December 2025 reveal that the CBSE governing body had formally ratified a recommendation to maintain the existing language scheme until the NCERT released specific, graded textbooks. At that time, the curriculum committee had noted that the necessary literature for regional languages under the National Curriculum Framework 2023 was not yet ready. The sudden May circular effectively overrides this consensus, leaving educators and parents questioning the rationale behind the reversal.

Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh has publicly questioned the "U-turn," suggesting that the decision appears driven by political influence rather than educational necessity. He pointed out that the board’s leadership—specifically the Chairman and Secretary who signed the initial, more cautious agreement—have since been transferred, further fueling speculation about the motivations behind the new timeline.

Implementation Challenges

To mitigate the lack of dedicated secondary-stage materials, the board has directed schools to utilize Class 6 textbooks for the third language, claiming an 80% competency overlap. While the board insists this transition will not bar students from appearing in Class 10 board examinations, the mandate has placed a sudden burden on schools to reorganize their academic planning. To address potential teacher shortages, the CBSE has suggested flexible solutions, including virtual instruction, inter-school sharing of staff, and the hiring of retired educators.

Despite the pressure, the board has clarified that the third language will remain an internal, school-based assessment rather than a high-stakes board exam. This measure is intended to reduce academic stress while still ensuring the subject is reflected in student certificates. Nevertheless, the lack of a smooth transition period has left many schools scrambling to adjust their calendars mid-session, drawing sharp criticism from those who believe the academic future of millions of students is being compromised by hasty policy changes.