The Karnataka Joint Management Board of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS) has opposed the mandatory three-language policy of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), saying it conflicts with the existing language laws in the state.In a legal submission to the CBSE president, the association urged the board to suspend the notification for the next academic year until clarity on how it will be implemented in Karnataka. It also sought immediate clarification from CBSE.KAMS said the Karnataka Language Learning Act, 2015 has provided for Kannada as the first or second language in all schools, including CBSE-affiliated schools. The association said the new CBSE circular creates legal uncertainty, especially for schools that already teach Kannada as a first or second language.D Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the association, said: “Technically, it is not possible for CBSE schools to offer Kannada as a third language. Also, CBSE should clarify whether English is a foreign language or a regional language. We believe that English should be considered as a regional language as it is widely used in all walks of life from the judiciary to the legislative branch.”KAMS has given CBSE 15 days to respond. It said it would approach the High Court if the committee did not provide the requested clarification within the stipulated time.Meanwhile, CBSE on Monday issued detailed guidelines explaining how the third language policy will be implemented for students in different classes under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and announced some exemptions.For students studying Class IX during the 2026-27 academic session, the third language (R3) will be assessed through internal assessment within the school only. When these students reach Class X in 2027-28, there will no longer be CBSE board examinations in the third language. CBSE and NCERT will also provide grade-appropriate learning resources to help students learn the language.As a relaxation, students of Class VII and VIII who have currently chosen and started studying two non-native languages can just add one Bhartiya Bhasha and continue studying to Class X. Like the current Class IX, the third language will be assessed through in-school assessment and there will be no CBSE board examination.