CBSE said there will be no board exam for third language at class X level to “maintain focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students”. (Representative image) | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced the study of three languages, including at least two indigenous Indian languages, for IX students from July 1. classes compulsory, as per the circular issued by the Board of Trustees.
The move is part of the alignment of the CBSE curriculum with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
According to the circular issued on Friday (May 15, 2026), students opting for a foreign language can do so only as a third language after studying two native Indian languages or as an additional fourth language.
“With effect from July 1, 2026, three languages (R1, R2, R3) will be compulsory for Class IX, at least two of which are mother tongues of India,” the circular said.
In order to maintain focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students, there will be no board examination for R3 language at class X level, CBSE said.
There have been concerns about the implementation of the trilingual formula of the CBSE
“All assessments for R3 will be purely school-based and internal. Students’ performance in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate. It is clarified that no student will be prevented from appearing in Class X board exams due to R3. Model questions and rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the board soon,” he added.
The council has also asked schools to update their R3 language offerings for Years 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal by 30 June.
Schools facing a shortage of qualified Indian language teachers can use temporary measures, including resource sharing between schools, virtual or hybrid teaching support and involvement of retired language teachers and qualified postgraduate students, the circular said.
Relaxations would be given to children with special needs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, while foreign students returning to India can get a case-by-case exemption from the requirement to study two indigenous Indian languages.
In April, the CBSE announced the phased implementation of the tri-language formula from Class 6 and the introduction of a two-tier system for Mathematics and Science for Class 9 from the academic session 2026-27.
Under the proposed structure, mathematics and science will have two levels: compulsory standard and optional advanced courses. While all students will sit a common 80-mark exam, those opting for a higher specialization could take an additional advanced-level written paper designed to test deeper conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills.
The CBSE then said that the first Class 10 board exams under the new two-tier system (Standard and Advanced) would be conducted in 2028 for the Class 9 2026-27 cohort.
Published – 16 May 2026 16:58 IST
