New guidelines phase in compulsory Indian language study from Class VI onwards, with board exam implications from 2030–31
The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued revised guidelines implementing the three-language framework mandated under the National Education Policy 2020, introducing a structured, batch-specific rollout across middle and secondary school levels.
Under the new framework, students must study three languages, of which at least two must be Indian languages. The third may be either an Indian or a foreign language including English, French, German, Spanish, or Arabic.
The transition is being handled carefully by cohort. Students currently in Class X face no disruption and will complete their board exams under the existing two-language system. Class IX students in 2026–27, however, must now include a third language, though it will be assessed only at the school level not by CBSE boards.
The most significant change applies to students entering Class VI this academic year. They will be the first batch required to sit a CBSE board examination in the third language upon reaching Class X, setting the precedent for all future cohorts.
Students already enrolled in two foreign languages must add one Indian language, though exemptions exist for children with special needs, students in CBSE schools abroad, and foreign nationals returning to India.
To address staffing concerns, CBSE has permitted schools to deploy retired teachers, postgraduate teachers, or cluster-based and digital teaching models.
The policy’s full implementation across Classes VI through X is expected by 2030–31.
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