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CBSE Relaxes Three-Language Policy for Classes 7-9; Allows Two Foreign Languages with One Bhartiya Bhasha

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
29 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Three-language policyClasses 7, 8, 922 Scheduled Bhartiya BhashasRPwD Act 20162026-27 academic session
Bodies:CBSENCERT
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What This Article Covers

1.CBSE allows current Class 7, 8, and 9 students with two foreign languages to continue them and add one Bhartiya Bhasha as third language (R3) — internal school assessment, no board exam.

2.Class 10 batch (2026-27) exempted from new policy; they continue old two-language system.

3.Exemptions for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) under RPwD Act 2016, schools outside India, and foreign students returning to India.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

CBSE has relaxed its three-language policy for current batches of Classes 7, 8, and 9, allowing students who opted for two foreign languages to continue them with one additional native Indian language (Bhartiya Bhasha). This move, aligning with NEP 2020 while protecting student interests, is crucial for exam aspirants as it involves exemptions, internal assessment instead of board exams for the third language, and special provisions for children with special needs.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Affected Classes7, 8, and 9 (2026-27 batch)
Exempted ClassClass 10 (2026-27) – continues old two-language system
Mandatory LanguagesThree languages; at least two must be Bhartiya Bhashas
Third Language (R3) ExamInternal school-based assessment (no CBSE board exam)
Scheduled Bhartiya Bhashas22 languages (textbooks made available by NCERT)
ExemptionsCwSN (RPwD Act 2016), Schools abroad, Foreign students

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Affected Classes: 7, 8, and 9 (2026-27 batch)
  • ›Exempted Class: Class 10 (2026-27) – continues old two-language system
  • ›Target this Data: Classes affected are 7, 8, 9 (2026-27 batch) — Class 10 exempted
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) — under Ministry of Education
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Exemption for CwSN under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which board issued the circular relaxing the three-language policy for Classes 7, 8, and 9?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding CBSE's relaxed three-language policy:

1. The current batch of Class 10 (2026-27) is exempted and will continue with the old two-language system.

2. For the current Class 9 batch, the third language (R3) will be assessed through a CBSE board examination.

3. Children with Special Needs (CwSN) are exempted from the compulsory third language requirement under the RPwD Act, 2016.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

How many scheduled Bhartiya Bhashas (native Indian languages) are mentioned for which NCERT has made dedicated R3 textbooks available for Class 6?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason cited by CBSE for granting this one-time relaxation to current batches of Classes 7, 8, and 9?

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