CBSE Three-Language Rule: Debate Over the Third Language from Class 6

A debate has arisen over the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) plan to introduce a third language from Class 6 onwards. The issue stems from how the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 treats languages, and it has drawn attention because of its impact on students already in higher classes.

The NEP 2020 highlights the special importance of English, particularly in mathematics, science and legal education, and does not group it with other foreign languages such as French or Spanish. At the same time, the policy advocates a three-language formula in which at least two of the three languages should be native to India. When put into practice, this can push English towards the category of a foreign language.

While introducing three languages from Class 6, the CBSE initially said that students already in Classes 7, 8 and 9 should also study three languages, two of which should be "Bharatiya", or Indian. This meant a student who had chosen French as a second language alongside English might have had to drop French and take up two Indian languages, one of them entirely new. Critics said this could hurt performance in the Class 10 Board examination and waste the teaching resources schools had built for foreign languages.

Following the backlash, the CBSE clarified that students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 need take only one additional Indian language. Language in education is a sensitive subject in India because of the country's diversity, and the three-language formula has been debated since it was first recommended decades ago. Education is a Concurrent List subject, so both the Centre and states have a role.

For aspirants, this connects to the NEP 2020, the three-language formula, the Concurrent List and education policy more broadly. These are frequently tested topics for UPSC, State PCS and teaching examinations, and the article presents the issue factually and neutrally.