CBSE mandatory 3rd language rule leaves Sanskrit as only R3 option at many pvt English-medium schools

For thousands of students in English-medium private schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in north India, the mandatory third language from Class 6 to Class 10 may turn out to be Sanskrit.

In a major reform set to roll out with Class 6 this year, the CBSE has made a third language and two Indian languages compulsory till Class 10. On paper, the policy requires “two native languages” and one foreign language. But as parents in Delhi, Noida and elsewhere are discovering, in practice, this has meant many CBSE schools defaulting to Sanskrit, while classifying English – the medium of instruction in these schools – as a foreign language.

The transition, in several cases, has also led to the sudden discontinuation of commonly-offered foreign languages, such as French, German or Spanish.

The CBSE, on Thursday, directed all affiliated schools to introduce the three-language policy’s R3 structure for Class 6 and has asked for compliance within a week. While the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE)-aligned textbooks are still being formulated, schools have been asked to use locally-available material and roll out the framework immediately.

The changes have sparked widespread concern among parents who say they were given little to no prior notice and now face limited choices. While some school leaders argue the move is in line with the National Education Policy’s (NEP) emphasis on multilingualism and cultural rootedness, critics say the way it is being implemented is reducing flexibility, increasing academic pressure and disrupting existing learning pathways for students.

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CBSE 3rd Language: ‘My kids don’t want Sanskrit’

While on paper, schools can pick any Indian language to offer, in practice, parents noted that options seem to be limited. In several schools across Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh, Sanskrit is emerging as the default compulsory third language, especially where schools previously offered Sanskrit and foreign languages as options.

“My kids do not want Sanskrit. Why should they have to learn it? This just makes things worse,” said a parent whose children attend a well-known private school in Noida. The school has already informally told parents that they will be offering only Sanskrit from Class 6 as the mandatory third language and that French and German were out.

Parents also pointed to the loss of global exposure in a competitive environment. “In today’s world, we want our children to have an edge. Learning international languages early can help when travelling or studying abroad. Now that option is gone,” said the parent from Noida.

Other parents said the move to make it compulsory till Class 10 adds to academic pressure and yet another parent called it “a regressive move tied to a certain idea of nationalism,” arguing that it contradicts the NEP’s stated goal of reducing academic burden.

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CBSE R3 Mandatory: ‘Sanskrit must be embraced’

School leaders, however, are divided on how the policy should be implemented.

Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School in Delhi, said her school has retained flexibility within the framework. “We offer English, Hindi, and a third language choice among Sanskrit, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil and Marathi,” she said.

Acharya said the transition in her school was data-driven rather than abrupt. She conducted language mapping in March 2025 using Google Forms, factoring in inputs from parents and even grandparents before finalising options. “This was based on what families actually use and prefer,” she said.

She also questioned the long-term utility of foreign languages at the school level. “Learning French or German from Classes 6 to 9 does not automatically translate into certification for higher education abroad. Students still need to pursue formal qualifications later,” she said, adding that uptake of Indian languages remains higher outside metropolitan areas.

Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu Public School, said her school will offer Hindi and Sanskrit. A member of several schools associations active in Delhi, she pointed out that most will have these two on offer with some schools located in Punjabi-majority communities also offering that language. She also said schools are “creating space” for a fourth language.

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That said, Arora supports CBSE’s move. “Indian languages have to be glorified, especially Sanskrit, as the Vedas and Upanishads are in that language. Many Indian languages draw from it,” she said. “Learning Sanskrit should not be seen as a penalty, but embraced wholeheartedly.”

Arora said schools are adapting to the change in practical ways. “We look for teachers who are proficient in both Hindi and Sanskrit to make implementation easier,” she noted.

She pointed out that Sanskrit had historically seen low enrolment. “There would be four sections for foreign languages and barely one for Sanskrit,” she said, adding that after Class 9, there are very few takers for Hindi as well, along with a shortage of Hindi teachers.

She said, “The National Education Policy talks about retaining traditional knowledge systems. This helps support that.”

A Sanskrit teacher from a private school in Kailash Colony echoed this view, saying the shift could expand opportunities. “It is a positive step that more students will now learn Sanskrit. It gives them another option and can open up opportunities in the future,” she said.

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CBSE Class 6 Curriculum: Abrupt rollout of R3 structure

Parents across Delhi-NCR say the transition has been difficult to accept, particularly due to the lack of prior notice and immediate impact on students.

“This is a harsh decision. Circular should have been issued at least one session prior for students and parents to prepare accordingly,” said a parent whose child attends a private school in Dwarka. “Even schools will have to arrange teachers for regional languages.”

Many parents flagged the disruption caused by the timing of the change. “To change courses mid-way and redraw timetables like this is not acceptable,” one parent said, adding that students will now have to start from scratch in a language they never opted for.

Concerns have also been raised about the broader impact on both students and teachers. “I know the French teacher really well. What does this mean for her when she is suddenly told she is no longer needed?” a parent said.