CBSE Three-Language Policy: Pradhan backs rule amid debate, says daughter studied Marathi till Class 8

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has defended the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) three-language policy for Class 9 students. He also said that the Centre will follow whatever decision the Supreme Court takes on the matter, News18 reported.

Amid the ongoing debate over the policy, Pradhan said the government will follow the Supreme Court’s directions on how it should be implemented.

“We will do whatever the Supreme Court says,” Pradhan told NDTV when asked about concerns regarding the policy, according to News18.

Backing the three-language policy, the minister gave a personal example and said that it is common in India for people to learn another Indian language besides their mother tongue.

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

“My daughter studied Marathi till Class 8,” Pradhan said, as quoted by News18 .

The minister also clarified that CBSE has not introduced a completely new system. He said that in nearly 99% of CBSE schools, students already study a native language from Classes 6 to 8.

According to Pradhan, the latest CBSE circular only makes the three-language policy compulsory up to Class 9 .

SC reviews CBSE three-language policy

The controversy began after CBSE announced that students joining Class 9 from the 2026–27 academic session must study three languages, including at least two Indian languages. This rule is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The announcement raised concerns among parents and teachers, who questioned whether the policy could be implemented properly and how it would affect students’ workload. The decision was later challenged in the Supreme Court .

While asking for responses from the Centre, CBSE , and NCERT, the Supreme Court said that promoting Indian languages may be a good aim. However, it also said that practical and implementation-related issues must be considered.