There has been no immediate relief in the ongoing legal dispute over CBSE’s new three-language policy. The Supreme Court has clearly refused to issue an interim order on a petition challenging CBSE’s decision to make three languages compulsory from Class 9. The next hearing in the case is set for July 14. Meanwhile, CBSE has stated that preparations to implement the new language policy from the 2026-27 session will continue.
The Supreme Court declined to grant any interim relief on the petition opposing CBSE’s three-language policy from Class 9 onwards. The apex court noted that the matter has already been extensively discussed and therefore no interim order can be passed at this point. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V.
Mohan combined this petition with other similar pending petitions and scheduled the next hearing for July 14.
The petition was filed by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) named Friends of People for Active Democracy. The organisation clarified before the court that it was not opposing the three-language policy itself, but challenging the manner in which it is being implemented. During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant made a lighthearted comment about the NGO’s name, asking whether it was chosen to instil fear in the court or among the public. In response, the petitioner’s lawyer explained that it is an old trust, established in 2013.
The CBSE’s framework mandates that from July 1, Class 9 students must study three languages (R1, R2, and R3), with at least two being Indian languages. This reform is part of the board’s effort to align its curriculum with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
Under the new structure, students may opt for a foreign language only as the third or fourth language, after fulfilling the requirement of two Indian languages. The board has also clarified that R3 will not have a board exam in Class 10; instead, it will be assessed internally by schools and reflected in student certificates.
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