CBSE Announces Three-Language Policy Rollout From 2026-27; Check Class-Wise Rules
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released detailed guidelines for implementing the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The new rules will be introduced from the 2026-27 academic session, but not all students will be affected immediately.
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To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has provided relaxations for students already studying in higher classes. While the policy will eventually apply to all students, some batches will not have to appear for a Board examination in the third language.
No Change for Current Class 10 Students
CBSE has clarified that students studying in Class X during the 2026-27 academic session will continue with the existing two-language system.
They will not be required to study or appear for a Board examination in a third language.
This means there will be no change in the language pattern for the current Class 10 batch.
CBSE issues guidelines on the three-language policy.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2026
•The current batch of class X will not have to follow the new language policy.
• For the current batches studying in class VII, VIII and IX would not be required to give board examination in third language when they… pic.twitter.com/EbfmnPiIDw
Relief for Students in Classes VII, VIII and IX
The Board has also announced a major relaxation for students currently studying in Classes VII, VIII and IX.
Although these students will continue learning three languages as they move to higher classes, they will not have to take a CBSE Board examination in the third language when they reach Class X.
Instead, the third language will be evaluated through school-based internal assessments.
Students who are already studying two foreign languages will be allowed to continue with the same combination by adding one Indian language (Bhartiya Bhasha).
Class VI Students Will Follow the New Policy Fully
Students currently studying in Class VI will be the first batch to fully follow the new language policy. They will study three languages, including at least two Indian languages, as recommended under NEP 2020.
When they reach Class X in 2030, they will have to appear for a CBSE Board examination in the third language.
How the Policy Will Work for Different Students
Under the new guidelines, the language combination will depend on the languages a student is already studying. Students learning two Indian languages may choose either another Indian language or a foreign language as their third language.
Students studying one Indian language and one foreign language must select another Indian language as the third language.
Students already studying two foreign languages will receive a one-time relaxation. They can continue both foreign languages while adding one Indian language.
Study Material to Be Made Available
CBSE said that grade-appropriate study material for the third language will be provided within a specified time.
The Board stressed that language education should be meaningful, engaging and enjoyable, helping students develop communication skills without increasing academic pressure.
The focus, according to CBSE, is on holistic learning rather than adding another examination burden.
Exemptions Under the Policy
Certain categories of students will not have to follow the compulsory third-language requirement.
These include:
- Children with Special Needs (CwSN)
- Students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools outside India
- Foreign students returning to India
The Board has also allowed students whose parents are transferred to another state to continue with their existing language combination to avoid disruption in their education.
Schools Given Flexible Options
To help schools implement the policy, CBSE has introduced flexible staffing arrangements.
Schools can appoint teachers who know the required language, hire retired teachers or postgraduate language experts, share teachers with nearby schools through Sahodaya clusters, or use virtual and hybrid teaching methods wherever necessary.
These measures are intended to ensure that schools can offer different Indian languages without facing teacher shortages.
What NEP 2020 Says
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 encourages multilingual learning by requiring students to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages (Bhartiya Bhashas).
Indian languages include Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Odia and Assamese, among others.
Foreign language options include English, French, German, Arabic and Spanish.
According to CBSE, the objective of the policy is to promote multilingual education while protecting students from unnecessary academic stress during the transition.
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