CBSE Three-Language Policy: New CBSE circular issued; find out which students are exempt from the third language..

The CBSE has issued new guidelines for implementing the three-language policy starting from the 2026-27 academic session. The Board has clarified that the objective of this policy is not to impose an additional burden on students but to promote Indian languages. There will be no changes for Class 10 students in the 2026-27 session; they will continue to study only two languages, as before. In 2026-27, all Class 9 students will be required to study three languages, with at least two of them being Indian languages. There will be no CBSE board examination for the third language (R3); instead, schools will conduct the assessment at their own level.

If a student fails the R3 examination in Class 9, they will still be promoted to Class 10 but must pass the exam during that year. While there will be no R3 paper in the Class 10 board examination, passing the school-level R3 exam will be mandatory to obtain the CBSE Secondary School Pass Certificate.

**Exemptions for Students**
The CBSE has granted exemptions from the three-language policy to certain categories of students. Students with disabilities (CwSN) will be exempted from the third-language requirement under the RPwD Act, 2016. Students in CBSE schools located outside India will not be required to study an Indian language as their third language. Foreign students returning to India from abroad are also exempted from studying an Indian language as the third language.

If a student changes schools due to their parents' transfer to another state, they may continue studying the third language (R3) they had selected in middle school during Class 9 as well. Schools will be required to make the necessary academic arrangements in such cases.

**Instructions for Schools**
In the event of a shortage of language teachers, schools may utilize existing staff, retired teachers, postgraduate teachers, the Sahodaya cluster system (sharing teachers among schools), and online or hybrid learning modes. The CBSE has stated that the policy aims to foster language learning through understanding rather than rote memorization and ensures that no student will be disadvantaged. The board will also provide study materials and training to the schools.

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