New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that while third language (R3) will not be part of the Class 10 board examination for the current batch of Class 9 students, students will have to pass the school-based assessment in the subject to get the CBSE secondary school examination pass certificate.The clarification was published via CBSE Implementation Guidelines for July 10comes amid ongoing debate over the board’s revised three-language policy. As per the new framework, students entering Class 9 in the academic year 2026-27 will study three languages, at least two of which must be Bhartiya Bhashas (Indian languages). Although there will be no board examinations in the third language in this class 10th batch, students must successfully complete an internal assessment conducted by the school.
R3 assessment is mandatory although there is no board exam
As per the notification, students admitted to Class 10 in the academic session 2027-28 will not appear for the CBSE board examination in third language (R3). However, they must pass the school-based assessment to be eligible for the Class 10 pass certificate.The board further directed that if a student fails the R3 assessment in Class 10, the school concerned must conduct a re-evaluation before declaring the Class 10 results. CBSE has also made provisions for students who cannot clear class 9 assessment. Such students will still progress to Level 10 but will need to complete their pending Level 9 R3 assessment during the next academic year.The assessment framework for grade 9 has been released while the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is providing language learning resources, the board said.
Revised language policy and transitional relaxation
The July 10 notification is based on the early implementation guidelines issued by CBSE on June 29 under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.As per the revised framework, every student in Class 9 will have to study three languages, at least two of which will be Bhartiya Bhashas in the academic year 2026-27. Students who already study two non-native languages ​​(such as English, French or German) get a one-time break during the transition. They can continue learning these languages ​​but have to add a Bhartiya Bhasha as a third language.The board has clarified that there will be no changes for students currently studying in Grade 10 during the 2026-27 academic year and they will continue to study under the existing two-language program.For students entering Grade 6 from the 2026-27 academic year, the third language will eventually become a board examination subject when they advance to Grade 10, with the introduction of specialized textbooks and curriculum.
Policy continues to face legal challenges
The three-language policy has been at the center of a legal challenge before the Supreme Court, with a group of parents and foreign language teachers questioning its implementation timetable and schools’ readiness.The petitioners argued that the policy was introduced suddenly after the academic session began and raised concerns over availability of teachers, textbooks and burden on students.CBSE defended the policy in its response to the Supreme Court, saying that nearly half of its affiliated schools already offer two or more Indian languages ​​in Class 9, while more than 99 per cent schools have at least one Indian language teacher. The Commission also maintains that its June 29 and July 10 guidance addressed many of the operational concerns raised by the petitioners.The revised language framework has also previously attracted criticism from some parents, students and educational institutions, who believe that introducing additional languages ​​at the secondary level may increase academic pressure. Responding to these concerns, CBSE emphasized that the policy aims to promote multilingualism while ensuring that “no student is disadvantaged” during the transition. The board said the focus remains on meaningful language learning rather than exams, and provided transitional relaxations, flexible staffing and additional learning resources to support schools in implementing the new framework.
