CBSE 3-Language Policy: Supreme Court Seeks Relief for Class 6 Students
The Supreme Court has asked CBSE to consider exempting the current Class 6 batch from the three-language policy this academic year as petitions challenging the policy remain pending.
The Supreme Court has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting the current Class 6 batch from the three-language policy for the ongoing academic year. The court deferred the hearing on petitions challenging the policy to September 17.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant suggested that Class 6 students could be given temporary relief, allowing the policy to be introduced for them from the next academic session. The suggestion came during proceedings over CBSE's decision to make three-language study compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1.
The court has previously expressed concern about students facing unnecessary pressure during the transition. It also highlighted the need for adequate teachers and other infrastructure to support different language choices.
The petitions also question CBSE's authority to frame the curriculum for Classes 6 to 8, arguing that this responsibility rests with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Under CBSE's revised policy, Class 9 students must study three languages, including at least two Indian languages. The change aligns the board's curriculum with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
Students choosing a foreign language can select it as their third language only after studying two Indian languages, or take it as an additional fourth language.
