Curriculum11 min read

CBSE three-language policy: Class 6, Class 9 and the Supreme Court

Q: What is CBSE s three-language policy?

From 2026 27, CBSE students study three languages, called R1, R2 and R3, and at least two must be Indian. It applies in full from Class 6 and to Class 9 from 1 July 2026, with relaxations for students already in Classes 7 to 9. Class 10 in 2026 27 keeps two languages.

Q: Is there a board exam for the third language in Class 10?

Not for students who are in Classes 7, 8 or 9 in 2026 27. Their R3 is assessed only by the school, but it must be cleared for the CBSE pass certificate. Students who started Class 6 in 2026 27, and later batches, will take a board exam in R3 in Class 10.

Q: What happens if a Class 9 student does not clear R3?

The student is still promoted to Class 10 in 2027 28, but must clear the Class 9 R3 assessment while in Class 10. R3 must be passed for the CBSE pass certificate, and a student who does not qualify in Class 10 is reassessed by the school before the result.

From 2026–27, CBSE students in Class 6 and Class 9 study three languages, and at least two must be Indian. For a school that means a third language in the timetable, teachers to teach it and a record of every student’s choice — while the Supreme Court is still weighing the Class 6 start date.

By iVakeFor principals, academic coordinators and timetable in-charges · Published 21 September 2026

Checked against official notices on 21 September 2026.

From 2026–27, CBSE students study three languages, called R1, R2 and R3, and at least two must be Indian. The rule starts in full with this year’s Class 6. Class 9 joined on 1 July 2026, with relaxations for students already part-way through school.

On 17 September 2026 the Supreme Court asked CBSE to consider a reprieve for this year’s Class 6. CBSE had told the Court that would not be feasible. When we checked on 21 September, no CBSE circular had changed the rule. As reported, the case returns to the Court on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

The short versionFor Class 6 and Class 9, the third language is a rule now, not a plan. The Supreme Court has made a suggestion, not an order. Keep teaching R3, record each student’s three languages, and be ready to change the Class 6 plan if CBSE writes to schools.

What the CBSE three-language policy requires

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends three languages, at least two native to India. In CBSE’s three-language formula, R1 is any language CBSE offers, R2 is a different one, and R3 is different from both.

Two of the three must be Indian. CBSE calls them Bhartiya Bhashas: Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and others.
English counts as non-native. CBSE’s circular lists it with French, German, Arabic and Spanish.
A foreign language fits in two ways only. As R3, if R1 and R2 are both Indian, or as an additional fourth language.
Exemptions. Children with special needs, under the RPwD Act 2016; CBSE schools outside India; foreign students returning to India.

All of this is CBSE’s rule, from its circulars of 15 May and 10 July 2026, with CBSE’s own examples. Notice that English counts as non-native. The Class 6 column could change if CBSE accepts the Supreme Court’s suggestion.

What applies to each class in 2026–27

CBSE three-language rule by class in 2026–27: what applies, the relaxation, and whether R3 has a board exam at Class 10
Class in 2026–27	What applies	Relaxation	Board exam in R3 at Class 10
Class 6	Three languages, at least two Indian. R3 starts this year.	None in CBSE’s circulars. The Supreme Court has asked CBSE to consider one.	Yes, in Class 10 in 2030–31
Class 7	Three languages continue to Class 10, at least two Indian.	Students already taking two non-native languages keep them and add one Indian language.	No, school-based only (Class 10 in 2029–30)
Class 8	As for Class 7.	As for Class 7.	No, school-based only (Class 10 in 2028–29)
Class 9	Three languages from 1 July 2026, at least two Indian: the same three as in Class 8, one chosen as R3.	One-time: students with two non-native languages keep them and add an Indian language as R3.	No, school-based, but needed for the pass certificate (Class 10 in 2027–28)
Class 10	No change. Two languages, as before.	Not needed.	Not applicable

CBSE’s circular of 9 April 2026 says only the R3 languages a school introduces in Class 6 will be options in Classes 9 and 10. Your Class 6 choice now is, in effect, your Class 9 menu in 2029–30.

The Supreme Court hearing of 17 September 2026

Petitions challenging the policy (Yashica Bhandari Jain v Union of India, W.P.(C) 694/2026) have been before the Supreme Court since May 2026, and the Court has not stayed it. On 9 September 2026 a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked whether this year’s Class 6 could be given some accommodation. On 17 September, as reported:

What the Court suggested. A one-time relaxation for the current Class 6, with the rule mandatory for Class 6 from early 2027. LiveLaw gives the date as 1 January 2027; PTI says the next academic session. Class 6 students who want three languages this year could still take them.
What CBSE had said. In a note to the bench, CBSE said the relaxation may not be feasible, because it could create learning gaps and delay the rollout. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the Board would consider the suggestion.
A monitoring committee. PTI reports that CBSE formed one on 16 September 2026, chaired by Bhagwati Prasad Kalal of the Ministry of Education, to review schools’ language options, teacher availability and textbooks.

A suggestion from the bench is not an order. Until CBSE writes to schools, the Class 6 rule in its circulars stands.

Deadlines in CBSE’s three-language circulars

9 April 2026 (Acad-17/2026). R3 in Class 6, with remaining schools told to comply “within 7 days”, teach immediately from local material matched to NCF-SE 2023, tell their Regional Office their R3 languages and update OASIS.
4 May 2026 (Acad-25/2026). OASIS entries to be completed or corrected by 31 May 2026. Schools not yet teaching two Indian languages to start from 1 July 2026 “without fail”.
15 May 2026 (Acad-33/2026). Three languages compulsory for Class 9 from 1 July 2026; R3 offerings for Classes 6 to 9 on OASIS by 30 June 2026.
2 July 2026 (Acad-46/2026). The Class 9 R3 assessment framework.
10 July 2026 (Acad-49/2026). The full guidelines, with the relaxations and exemptions.

CBSE’s curriculum also asks schools to keep OASIS updated “as and when required”, so correct any entry that no longer matches what you teach.

Textbooks, and how R3 is assessed

CBSE says Class 6 R3 textbooks in the 22 scheduled languages are being made available on the NCERT website; for other languages, schools use SCERT or state material. NCERT has also started publishing Class 9 R3 learning resources.

For students now in Classes 7, 8 and 9, R3 is assessed only by the school. The Class 9 framework is 100 marks:

Listening and speaking, 40. Eight classroom activities of 5 marks, through the year.
Creative writing, 15. A message, a picture description, a story and a dialogue.
Reading and writing, 30. Based on the learning resource taught in class.
Project work, 15. Including a 5-mark viva.

R3 must be passed for the CBSE pass certificate. CBSE also encourages A–E grades for R3, with comments on the Holistic Progress Card. From this year’s Class 6 onwards, R3 has a board exam in Class 10.

What it does to your school

Timetable: finding periods for a third language

CBSE says R3 in Classes 9 and 10 is designed for two or three periods a week, “within the existing weekly framework”. For the middle stage, NCF-SE 2023 gives R3 75 hours a year, more than R1 or R2, and its sample timetable has three 40-minute R3 periods a week. That is a sample, not a CBSE rule.

If you offer more than one R3 language, students regroup across sections by language, so R3 behaves like an elective: one slot across sections, one teacher per group. A teacher shared with another school fixes the slot for you.

Staffing: who can teach R3

As an interim arrangement, CBSE allows teachers of other subjects with functional proficiency in the language, retired language teachers, suitably qualified postgraduates, sharing through Sahodaya clusters, and virtual or hybrid teaching. Our suggestion, not a CBSE rule: record why each person is qualified and the dates they are engaged.

Subject choices: one record per student

For every student in Classes 6 to 9 you need R1, R2 and R3, which two are Indian, and any relaxation or exemption with its basis. A student whose family moves state may keep their combination, and CBSE says the school must provide for it.

Parent communication

CBSE asks schools to explain the provisions positively to parents. Class 6 parents will ask about the Supreme Court. Our suggestion: a short written note per class saying what applies today, and that you will write again if CBSE changes it. Class 9 parents need to know R3 is marked in school but decides the pass certificate.

Board registration later

On 10 September 2026 CBSE said registration for Classes 9 and 11 will start shortly, subject-wise as per the scheme of studies, and named wrong subject codes as a repeated cause of delay. We have not seen how R3 will appear on the registration form; check the circular when it arrives.

If you do one thingMake one list: every student in Classes 6 to 9, their three languages, which two are Indian, and any relaxation or exemption. It answers OASIS, parents and the Regional Office, and shows who is affected if the Class 6 date changes.

How iVake handles it

In iVake, a student’s languages are recorded against their enrolment like any subject or elective, and each year stays on the same student record. Finding who takes which third language, section by section, is a filter rather than a count through registers.

The timetable checks the subject combinations students have actually chosen, so an R3 group drawn from three sections is placed without a clash, and each teacher’s periods count against the load limit you set. Teachers are assigned to subjects they are qualified to teach, with qualifications on the staff profile. A retired teacher engaged for R3 can be set up as visiting staff, with their own load limit and appointment dates, and sees only their own classes.

Parents see the timetable, results and notices in the app, with one login for every child, and important messages also go out on WhatsApp, SMS or email.

Plan next term’s timetable with us

Frequently asked questions

What is CBSE’s three-language policy?

From 2026–27, CBSE students study three languages, called R1, R2 and R3, and at least two must be Indian. It applies in full from Class 6 and to Class 9 from 1 July 2026, with relaxations for students already in Classes 7 to 9. Class 10 in 2026–27 keeps two languages.

Has the Supreme Court stopped the three-language rule for Class 6?

No. On 17 September 2026 the Court asked CBSE to consider a one-time relaxation for the current Class 6, with the rule mandatory from early 2027. That was a suggestion, not an order, and CBSE had said a relaxation may not be feasible. As reported, the case returns on 23 September 2026.

Is there a board exam for the third language in Class 10?

Not for students who are in Classes 7, 8 or 9 in 2026–27. Their R3 is assessed only by the school, but it must be cleared for the CBSE pass certificate. Students who started Class 6 in 2026–27, and later batches, will take a board exam in R3 in Class 10.

Can English or French be the third language?

Yes, if the other two languages are Indian. CBSE treats English as non-native, like French, so a student taking English needs two Indian languages alongside it; a foreign language can also be a fourth language. In August 2026 the Supreme Court questioned whether English should be classed as non-indigenous, but CBSE’s circular applies until it decides.

What happens if a Class 9 student does not clear R3?

The student is still promoted to Class 10 in 2027–28, but must clear the Class 9 R3 assessment while in Class 10. R3 must be passed for the CBSE pass certificate, and a student who does not qualify in Class 10 is reassessed by the school before the result.

Sources

Timetable management The Holistic Progress Card Credits in school education

See iVake running on your own data

Share your fee structure and programmes before the call, or sample data with student names removed. We set them up, so you see your own institution on screen rather than a demo account.

Book a demo Explore the platform

45 minutes, your data. Not a generic tour of features.
Migration mapped on the call. We show exactly where your current records land.
A written rollout plan within two working days, with phases, owners and dates.
No pressure to switch everything at once. Most schools and colleges start with one department or one intake.