CBSE: Major decision for Class 10 students; the board has issued new guidelines for the three-language policy—find out what has changed..

CBSE Third Language Policy New Guidelines 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a significant change regarding its three-language policy. According to the board's new guidelines, current Class 10 students will not be required to take a board examination for a third language. This decision brings great relief to lakhs of students and parents. Let us understand the new guidelines in detail.

Under the new CBSE guidelines, this three-language policy will not apply to current Class 10 students. Furthermore, students currently studying in Classes 7, 8, and 9 will not be required to take a board exam for a third language when they reach Class 10. Students who have already opted for two foreign languages ​​may continue with them, but they will also be required to study an additional Indian language (Native Indian Language).

Understanding the guidelines in key points:
According to CBSE's new three-language policy, students must study three languages, with at least two of them being Indian languages. A non-Indian language may be chosen as the third language (R3), provided the other two are Indian languages.

No changes have been made for current Class 10 students (2026-27). They will not have to study a third language or take a board exam for it; they will continue their studies under the existing system.

However, it will be mandatory for all Class 9 students to study three languages. At least two of these must be Indian languages, while a non-Indian language—such as English, French, German, Arabic, or Spanish—may be selected as the third language.

New guidelines to be implemented from 2026-27:
CBSE's primary objective is to make students proficient in multiple Indian languages ​​(Native Indian Languages) and to promote the language-learning process, thereby ensuring a balanced and holistic educational development. The Board envisions language learning not merely as a subject, but as a meaningful, engaging, and enriching experience that fosters the holistic development of students.

Furthermore, the introduction of a third language (R3) at the secondary stage (Classes 9 and 10) serves as an extension of the language learning process initiated at the middle stage (Classes 6 to 8). With these objectives in mind, it has been deemed necessary to issue detailed guidelines for the implementation of the language policy in CBSE-affiliated schools, effective from the 2026-27 academic session.

Three-Language Policy for Class 9 Students
Scenario 1: If you are already studying two Indian languages ​​(e.g., Hindi and Tamil), you may choose either another Indian language or a non-Indian language (e.g., English or French) as your third language.

Scenario 2: If you are studying one Indian language and one non-Indian language (e.g., Tamil and English), you must choose an Indian language as your third language.

Scenario 3: If you are studying two non-Indian languages ​​(e.g., English and French), a special exemption will be granted for the 2026-27 session. You may continue with these, but it will be mandatory for you to add an Indian language as your third language.

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