CBSE Three Language Policy: SC lets Class 6 keep foreign language, grants exemption from board exams

During the Supreme Court hearing today, the SC bench has allowed CBSE Class 6 students to keep the foreign language and granted an exception that the board exams will not be held for the R3 subject till the current batch of Class 6. SC has flagged several issues in CBSE’s 3-language rule and has asked the board to revisit the policy, reports suggest.

Earlier in April, CBSE directed all schools to introduce the CBSE R3 structure for Class 6 and asked schools to start teaching the 3rd language using study material available locally.

Moreover, a Parliamentary Panel pointed out major flaws in the introduction of a third language from Class 6 onwards, highlighting that schools have not been given enough time to prepare study materials and recruit teachers.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana also raised concerns over the implementation of the R3 policy and school preparedness in today's hearing.

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

CBSE three-language policy for Class 6

The panel's observations were part of the Tenth Report of the Committee on Estimates (2026-27) on "Budget and Policy aspects for providing Affordable and Quality Education in the Country including Review of Central Board of Secondary Education" presented in the Lok Sabha.

CBSE introduced a third language option for Class 6 students alongside the existing languages from the academic year 2026-27 onwards, as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.

Notably, for Class 6 students, English would be considered a “foreign” language. As per NEP, two of the three languages should be “native to India”; however, if a different foreign language, for instance, French or German, is introduced as R3 in Class 6, students must study two Indian languages in addition to it.