Supreme Court Questions CBSE’s Third Language Rule for Class 9, Suggests Earlier Introduction

New Delhi, July 16, 2026;

The Supreme Court on Thursday raised concerns over the Central Board of Secondary Education‘s (CBSE) decision to make a third language compulsory for students entering Class 9, observing that the move could place unnecessary pressure on children at a crucial stage of their academic journey.

During the proceedings, Justice B.V. Nagarathna remarked that if students are expected to study an additional language, it would be more appropriate to introduce it from Class 6 rather than at the beginning of secondary education, when students start preparing for board examinations.

The court’s observations come shortly after CBSE granted a one-time exemption to the current batch of Class 9 students. Under this relaxation, students who were admitted before the revised language policy will not be required to appear for the third language in their Class 10 Board examinations, following concerns raised by schools, parents and students.

The issue was discussed while the Supreme Court heard an appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging a 2017 Madras High Court order related to the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across all districts in the state.

Tamil Nadu has maintained that the language framework followed by JNVs is inconsistent with its long-standing two-language education policy. The state has repeatedly argued that implementing institutions following a three-language model would conflict with its existing educational approach.

Although the hearing primarily concerned the establishment of JNVs, the discussion also brought renewed attention to the broader debate surrounding language education in schools. The matter remains under consideration before the Supreme Court.