New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to pass an interim order on a petition challenging the CBSE's decision to make the study of three languages compulsory from Class 9. Under the new policy, at least two of the three languages must be Indian languages.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohan said it could not intervene immediately in the matter and that detailed arguments were required before any decision could be taken. The petition was filed by the NGO Friends of People for Active Democracy and will now be heard along with similar petitions on July 14.
During the hearing, the petitioner clarified that its challenge was not directed against the three-language policy itself but against the manner in which it was being implemented. The court had earlier issued notices to the Centre, CBSE and NCERT after admitting the petition on May 27. It has also asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to submit a report on the infrastructure and preparations made by CBSE for implementing the policy.
The reform is part of the National Education Policy and the National Curriculum Framework. Under the revised system, the three-language requirement will apply to Class 9 students from the 2026-27 academic year. Students choosing a foreign language can study it only as the third language or as an additional fourth language.
CBSE has also decided that there will be no board examination for the third language in Class 10, with assessment to be conducted internally by schools. Schools facing teacher shortages may use teachers from other subjects or retired teachers. Exemptions will be available for children with disabilities and students returning from abroad.
The reforms also introduce standard and advanced levels in Mathematics and Science from Class 9.