{"id":16315,"date":"2026-05-20T16:16:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.21kschool.com\/us\/blog\/cbse-3-language-policy\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T22:02:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T16:32:12","slug":"cbse-3-language-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.21kschool.com\/us\/blog\/cbse-3-language-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"CBSE 3 Language Policy 2026: Class 9 Rules, Languages & Exemptions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the CBSE 3 Language Policy, and how does it work? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)<\/a>\r\n has declared that it will have a major change in its language policy in Classes 9 and 10. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 15 May 2026, the board released a statement<\/a> according to which all learners of Class 9 in the 2026-27 academic year would be required to study three languages as a part of their curriculum in all CBSE-affiliated schools by July 1, 2026. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be no Class 10 board exam for the third language (R3). This policy assists students growing not only in their academics, but also in diversifying their language abilities. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such knowledge about how the policy works can enable parents and students to make good language choices and enjoy a more balanced education.<\/strong><\/a>\r\n <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CBSE has already mentioned that the three languages will be mandatory courses for students in Class 9 that will begin on July 1, 2026. The recent CBSE circular<\/a> on the instruction of three languages (R1, R2 and R3) in view of the three-language policy, with NCERT syllabus dictates that two or more native Indian languages must be instructed along with any other language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as per the latest CBSE notification<\/a>, the current batch of Class 10 will not have to follow the new language policy and the current batches studying in Class 7, Class 8, and Class 9 would not be required to give the board examination in the third language when they go to Class 10. The learners from current batches of Class 7, Class 8, and Class 9 who had already taken two foreign languages would continue with the same, with one additional native Indian language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is as stipulated by the National Education Policy of 2020<\/a>\r\n and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. However, the first language (R1) and the second language (R2) cannot be the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. First Language (R1): Core Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"First<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first language, which depends on the school curriculum<\/a>\r\n and inclinations of the student, is the mother tongue of the student, i.e. Hindi, English or any other Indian language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Second Language (R2): Additional Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Second<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Students are expected to study an additional language (R2), and at least two out of the R1, R2, and R3 are native Indian languages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note here that R1 and R2 can\u2019t be the same language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Third Language (R3): Additional Indian or Foreign Language<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Third<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Students will need to learn a third language (R3); at least two out of R1, R2, and R3 are native Indian languages. The choice of a foreign language can be made under this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

R3 is mandatory but will be checked in-house by the school, and there will not be any Class 10 board examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the CBSE 3rd Language Compulsory?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, the new policy proposed by the Central Board of Secondary Education for learners in classes 9 and above will ensure that they start studying the third language (R3) as an academic subject from 1 July 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the National Education Policy 2020 and NCF (SE) 2023, the students will have to learn three languages (R1, R2 and R3), but two of them should be Indian languages.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third language, however, is not pressured with board exams. The school will also internally examine the R3 student, and this will be written on the CBSE certificate of the student. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor performance in R3 will not deny a student the opportunity to appear for or pass the Class 10 boards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages Offered Under the CBSE 3 Language Policy\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Languages<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the languages taught in school, under the CBSE Language Policy, students have the freedom to select a list of Indian and foreign languages. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The policy requires the learners to study three languages, out of which at least two languages of India are required. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learners are only allowed to take a foreign language as part of language studies when it is offered in the school, and the collective language mix is in accordance with CBSE recommendations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Indian Languages Offered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Indian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Common Indian language options may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n