CBSE 3 languages policy rule for class 9 and 10 students

CBSE has introduced compulsory three language policy for class 9 and 10 in academic year 2026-27. This will make students learn three languages (English, Hindi and one regional language) from now on.

Current curriculum requirement for Class 9 and 10

At present, students from Class 9 and 10 have to study following subjects

• English
• Math
• Science
• Social Science
• Second Language
• Optional subjects

Students do studies languages in Second Language. Hindi curriculum is well developed in NCERT books, while for regional languages; students usually refer to state board books (for example- students refer Karnataka state board books for books and material.

Updated curriculum requirement for class 9 and 10

New CBSE guideline divides languages into three categories

• R1 – English language
• R2 – Indian language
• R3 – Indian language

As schools already have Hindi teachers and learning material, R2 will be Hindi language only. For R3, students can choose from any of the below mentioned regional languages

1. Assamese
2. Bengali
3. Bodo
4. Dogri
5. Gujarati
6. Kannada
7. Kashmiri
8. Konkani
9. Maithili
10. Malayalam
11. Manipuri
12. Marathi
13. Nepali
14. Odia
15. Punjabi
16. Santhali
17. Sindhi
18. Tamil
19. Telugu

Important details for R3 language

Selection of R3 language by school

Purpose of R3 language is to introduce regional languages in school curriculum.  Schools are free to choose any language for R3 from given list of 19 regional languages.  From July 1, 2026, it will be compulsory for class 9 students to learn R3 language.

R3 language textbooks

Till the dedicated R3 textbooks are available, Class IX students shall use the Class 6- R3 textbooks (latest edition) of the chosen language. R3 textbooks will be supplemented with one appropriate local or state literary material, selected by schools, such as short stories, poems, or nonfiction works. Detailed guidelines regarding the selection and pedagogical use of such supplementary literary material shall be issued by CBSE by 15 June 2026.

R3 language marking scheme

There will be no board exam for R3 language. All assessment/examinational will be internal and school based only. R3 performance will not impact students sitting for Class 10 board examination.

R3 language teachers

CBSE has asked schools to train existing teachers for R3 language in case of non-availability of language teachers. Schools are also asked to collaborate through Sahodaya cluster, and check for availability of retired teachers or postgraduates in virtual or hybrid teaching support.

Concerns regarding 3 language policy

There are insufficient teachers and learning resources for handling R3 languages. School need to either train existing teachers to teach Class 9 and 10 in R3 language, or hire new resources.

At present, there are no ncert material for class 9 and 10 for R3 language. CBSE has made makeshift arrangement of introducing class 6 textbooks to Class 9 students.

Students will be burdened with learning extra language subject in crucial years of Class 9 and 10. Core subjects like Math, Science, and Social Science in these classes are more complex than before. Students may feel pressure in coping with extra subject

Conclusion

The purpose of this article to make students and parents aware on new language policy in all CBSE schools. This language policy is applicable for all except to school located outside India, for students with special needs and foreign students enrolled in India. The objective is CBSE wants to introduce Indian students towards culture and language richness in Indian curriculum. There are concerns too, as schools have very limited time to make sure teachers availability, and there are concerns regarding textbooks and marking schemes.

We, at Xamnation, have professional teachers available in regional languages. Schools can reach out to us by mailing to rakesh@xamnation.com or visiting Xamnation website

Parents can also connect, in case they need help in language learning.