New Delhi: The current batch of Class 10 students is exempt from studying three languages, according to new instructions issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Monday regarding the implementation of its three-language policy.
The CBSE stated that the current batch of Class 9 students will be required to study three languages. However, as a one-time relaxation, they may study two foreign languages and one Indian language.
The clarification comes more than a month after the CBSE announced that, from July 1, students entering Class 9 would be required to study three languages, including at least two native Indian languages.
Several students and parents had approached the court challenging the CBSE order.
"The current batch of Class 10 will not have to follow the three-language policy. The current batches of Classes 7-9 will not be required to take board examinations in the third language when they progress to Class 10", CBSE Academics Director Praggya M. Singh said.
"As a one-time relaxation, students who are already in Class 9 during the 2026-27 academic session may continue with two non-native (foreign) languages and need to add one Indian language as the third language", she added.
In April, the CBSE announced the phased implementation of the three-language formula from Class 6, along with the introduction of a two-level system for mathematics and science for Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session.
Under the proposed structure, mathematics and science will have two levels, mandatory standard and optional advanced courses.
While all students will appear for a common 80-mark examination, those opting for higher proficiency can take an additional advanced-level paper designed to test deeper conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills.
The CBSE had stated that the first Class 10 board examination under the new two-level system (standard and advanced) would be conducted in 2028 for the 2026-27 Class 9 cohort.
However, on May 15, the board announced that students opting for a foreign language may do so only as a third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.