CBSE Makes Three-Language Study Mandatory for Classes 9 and 10 From 2026-27
New Delhi, 16th May 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised the language framework for Classes 9 and 10 from the 2026-27 academic year, making the study of three languages compulsory in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
In a circular issued on May 15, the board said students of Classes 9 and 10 will be required to study three languages — R1, R2 and R3 — from July 1, 2026 onwards, with at least two of them being native Indian languages.
The board said the revised structure was finalised after reviewing the newly released NCERT syllabus for the 2026-27 academic session. While the current academic year began in April, CBSE said the implementation would follow a transitional approach.
Under the new policy, students opting for a foreign language must ensure that the other two selected languages are Indian languages. Foreign languages may also be taken as an optional fourth language.
CBSE has instructed affiliated schools to review the revised curriculum objectives, learning outcomes and competencies linked to language education. The board noted that language skills such as reading comprehension, grammar, oral communication and writing have a significant overlap between middle and secondary school stages.
As part of the transition, Class 9 students in 2026-27 will temporarily use Class 6 R3 textbooks for the selected language until dedicated textbooks are introduced. Schools have also been advised to supplement teaching material with local and regional literature, including poems, fiction and short stories.
The board said detailed guidelines regarding supplementary material and its classroom use would be issued by June 15, 2026.
Acknowledging that some schools may face difficulty in appointing qualified language teachers, CBSE has permitted interim measures such as resource-sharing through Sahodaya school clusters, hybrid teaching methods, hiring retired language teachers and appointing qualified postgraduates.
The board further said that Class 6 R3 textbooks in 19 scheduled Indian languages would be made available before July 1, 2026.
