Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, CBSE and NCERT over three-language policy for Class 9 students
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on a public interest litigation challenging CBSE’s revised three-language policy for Class 9 students.
The petition contests the CBSE circular issued on May 15, which makes it mandatory for students entering Class 9 in the academic session 2026-27 to study three languages, including two Indian languages, from July 1 onwards.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, directed all parties to file their responses within two weeks. The matter has now been listed for hearing in the second week of July.
The apex court also asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to submit a report detailing the preparedness and implementation framework developed by CBSE for rolling out the policy.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for petitioners Yashika Bhandari Jain and others, argued that the sudden implementation of the policy would create serious academic difficulties for students.
He told the court that the required textbooks and academic resources are still not adequately available in the market, despite the new academic session approaching rapidly.Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who also appeared in the matter, said the issue raises significant constitutional concerns and touches upon the federal structure of the country. He maintained that language learning should remain a matter of individual choice and cannot be imposed compulsorily upon students.
During an earlier mention of the case on May 22, Rohatgi had sought urgent hearing, stating that forcing students to suddenly adopt an additional language would create confusion and place unnecessary pressure on children preparing for secondary board examinations.
The petitioners have sought quashing of the May 15 circular and restoration of CBSE’s earlier notification dated April 9, under which implementation of the three-language formula for Class 9 had reportedly been deferred till the academic session 2029-30.
They have also requested interim relief for students currently enrolled under the existing academic structure.
CBSE’s revised policy is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes multilingual education and encourages students to learn multiple languages, including at least two Indian languages. Under the policy, states and schools are given flexibility in selecting the languages to be offered.
Traditionally, most CBSE students studied only two languages, English and either Hindi or a regional language, until Class 10.
The plea further alleges that schools, parents and students had already planned the academic year based on the earlier policy framework and the abrupt change shortly before the commencement of the session has created uncertainty and logistical challenges across institutions.