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CBSE Three-Language Policy: The third language or R3 will be made compulsory from Class 6 starting in the academic year 2026-27.
The rollout will be gradual, with full implementation expected by 2031. (AI Generated Image)
The three-language formula has regained importance under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) aligning its curriculum to NEP guidelines, schools, students, and parents are looking for clarity on how this policy will be implemented.
Under the updated framework, students will study three languages, labelled as R1, R2 and R3. At least two of these must be Indian languages, thereby supporting linguistic diversity.
R1: First language (any language offered by CBSE)
R2: Second language (different from R1)
R3: Third language (different from both R1 and R2)
The third language (R3) will be made compulsory from Class 6 starting in the academic year 2026-27. Students in Classes 9 and 10 will have to study three separate languages and must pass all three to qualify for the Class 10 board examinations. CBSE has specified that the same language cannot be taken at more than one level at the same time.
The rollout will be gradual, with full implementation expected by 2031.
The three-language formula requires students to learn three languages during their schooling, generally:
— A regional or mother tongue language
— Hindi or another Indian language
— English
Its aim is to foster multilingualism, strengthen cultural roots, and improve students’ cognitive abilities.
Why the Renewed Focus?
NEP 2020 places strong emphasis on the mother tongue or regional language as the medium of instruction, especially in the foundational years. It aims to protect India’s linguistic diversity while ensuring students remain globally competitive through proficiency in English.
ALSO READ | CBSE’s New Curriculum: Third Language, AI And Vocational Education Compulsory
What This Means For Students?
CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh clarified that the third language, referred to as R3, will not yet be mandatory for Class 9 students. R3-level textbooks will be introduced in Class 6 this year. Speaking at the launch of CBSE’s new secondary school curriculum, he noted that these students will appear for their board exams in 2031, by which time the three-language formula will be in place.
As CBSE has previously explained, in schools where English is taught in Class 6, it will be treated as the foreign language, and students will also learn two Indian languages. If students opt for another foreign language such as French or German, they will still be required to study two Indian languages.
In addition, computational thinking and artificial intelligence will become compulsory subjects in classes 9 and 10. To begin with, they will be offered as modules with internal assessments in the current academic year and will be upgraded to compulsory board exam subjects for Class 10 in 2029. These subjects are also being introduced for classes 3 to 8 in the current academic session.
A central aspect of the policy is flexibility. States and schools are not restricted to a single language combination. They can design language options based on local needs and available resources.
April 16, 2026, 1:59 PM IST
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