New Delhi, April 10: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the implementation of a three-language policy for Class 6 students starting this academic session. In a circular issued on April 9, the board instructed all schools to implement this directive within seven days, emphasizing its urgent and mandatory nature. According to the notice, this rule will be effective from the 2026-27 session, and schools are required to begin preparations and teaching immediately. Notably, textbooks for the third language are currently unavailable.
Board Assures Textbooks Will Be Available Soon
CBSE has advised schools to utilize locally available books and materials for teaching the third language until official textbooks are released. Schools must not delay and should commence teaching right away.
Schools Required to Provide Information
Schools will need to inform CBSE about their chosen third language, which must be updated on the OASIS portal. The board has stated that its regional offices will monitor this process to ensure timely compliance by all schools.
Maharashtra First State to Implement Three Language Policy
Maharashtra became the first state in the country to implement the three-language policy last year, making Hindi mandatory for students from grades 1 to 5 in all Marathi and English medium schools.
Three Language Policy Under NEP 2020
The three-language formula is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendations, with CBSE releasing its new curriculum framework on April 2. Under this policy, every student will be required to learn three languages up to Class 10.
NEP 2020 Introduced After 34 Years
The NEP 2020 was approved by the Government of India on July 29, 2020, marking a significant change in the education policy after 34 years. The previous policy was established in 1986 and updated in 1992. The aim is to align India’s education system with the needs of the 21st century, providing students with practical knowledge and skills.
The central government has set a target to implement the NEP by 2030. Education is a concurrent subject in the Constitution, giving both state and central governments authority. Therefore, it is not mandatory for state governments to fully implement it. In case of conflicts, both parties are advised to resolve disputes through mutual consensus.