Congress MP Jairam Ramesh questions CBSE's abrupt shift on 3-language policy, calls for accountability

CBSE Three Language Policy : Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh has criticized the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for changing its earlier decision on the 3-language policy implementation for Classes 9 and 10. In a detailed post on X, Ramesh alleged that the board made the “U-turn” not for any educational reason, but due to “political agendas”.

In his post, Ramesh questioned why CBSE suddenly made a third language compulsory from July 1, 2026, especially when its own Governing body had reportedly agreed to continue the existing language system just six months ago, until the release of graded textbooks of languages by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) .

He said this sudden change in decision has caused confusion in schools, “throwing academic calendars and school planning into chaos,” and has left lakhs of students across the country in a state of uncertainty.

According to Ramesh, the issue dates back to the meeting of the CBSE governing body held in December 2025, in which the board’s committees recommended that existing books should be continued until new books are issued.

However, in May 2026, the CBSE directed schools to implement a three language for Classes 9 and 10 from the upcoming academic session.

Also read CBSE third language policy throws French, Spanish, German teachers across schools into crisis

What changed in last 6 months? Questions MP

In his detailed post on X, Ramesh raised concerns and questioned why the CBSE board reversed its decision that had already received formal approval from its own governing body.

He also alleged that schools were asked to use NCERT's Class 6 language textbooks for Class 9 students, even though textbooks meant for secondary-level classes were not yet available.

“What changed in the last six months? The NCERT has not released any 3rd language textbooks for Grade 9 and 10. The CBSE Chairman and Secretary who signed this decision continued to hold office at this point. Despite that, the CBSE effectively overruled the recommendation of its Curriculum Committee even after it was ratified by its own Governing Body. Why and on whose orders did the CBSE commit this U-turn?” Ramesh posted on his X account.

Also read ‘Future built on Class 12 marks’: CBSE scandal pushes parents of next batch to seek answers from schools

'Political Agenda': CBSE under scanner

Congress leader also criticised the lack of “accountability” within the education system, claiming that CBSE administrative officials were being transferred while senior political leadership remained protected from scrutiny.

But when it comes to accountability, it is officials like the CBSE Chairperson and Secretary who are transferred out while their political boss in the Pradhan Mantri’s Cabinet is protected.

Amid the controversy surrounding CBSE's OSM, the board appointed Lokhande Prashant Sitaram as the new CBSE chairman and Varun Bhardwaj as secretary.

As part of the action taken against former Secretary Himanshu Gupta, he has been banned from taking up any central deputation post until December 2030. Meanwhile, former CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh has been transferred and given a new role as Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture.

Also read Inside the blog that brought CBSE's OSM tender under scrutiny

CBSE three-language policy

Under its revised three-language policy, CBSE has made it mandatory for Class 9 students to study a third language starting July 1, 2026. From the 2028 board examinations, students will need to appear in at least two languages.

Additionally, CBSE has expanded its language options at the secondary level by adding Santhali, Maithili, Dogri and Konkani, bringing the total number of languages offered by the board to 44.

Recently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan defended CBSE’s three-language policy and said that the Centre will follow the decision directed by the Supreme Court on the matter.

While seeking responses from the Centre, CBSE, and NCERT, the Supreme Court acknowledged that promoting Indian languages is a worthy goal. However, the court also pointed out that the practical challenges and issues related to implementation cannot be ignored.

Former BJP Leader K Annamalai urged the education ministry to roll back the three-language policy compulsory for Class 9 students and instead stick to its previous commitment to introduce three languages, of which two shall be Indian, from the academic year 2029-30.