No Third Language Board Exam for Current Classes 7–10
CBSE latest guidelines
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cleared its three-language policy.
Hence, the current students in Classes 7, 8, 9, and 10 will not have to make any significant changes.
In addition to this, the board has issued implementation guidelines.
The language policy is not applicable to the current Class 10 students.
Thus, students sitting for board exams this year will have nothing to worry about regarding additional subjects.
Current students in Classes 7, 8, and 9 that are taking two foreign languages can continue doing the same.
But they should also take one Indian language.
Under NEP 2020, the CBSE will implement the policy step by step.
Thus, the students will not go through any academic disruptions.
Learning material for the students will be provided according to their respective classes.
There will be no change for Class 10 students in the academic year 2026-27.
They will continue to take only two languages.
Moreover, they will not appear in a third language in board examinations.
Students of Class 9 in 2026-27 will take three languages.
Out of which, at least two languages will be Indian languages.
Those who are learning two Indian languages can opt for another Indian or foreign language.
Students learning one Indian and one foreign language need to learn one more Indian language.
Students learning two foreign languages will be exempted once.
However, they will have to study one Indian language.
The most important part of this scheme is that students in Class 9 will not appear for the board examination in the third language.
The third language will be assessed by the school itself.
Currently enrolled Classes 7 and 8 students will learn three languages upon joining Classes 9 and 10.
Even then, the third language will be assessed only by the school.
Students who join Class 6 in 2026-27 and afterwards will completely adhere to the new scheme.
They will have to learn three languages, with two being Indian.
These students will appear for the third language examination in Class 10.
At the same time, NCERT is preparing books in 22 scheduled Indian languages.
Exemptions have been provided for particular student groups by CBSE.
Disabled students would be exempted according to the existing policy.
In the same way, CBSE-affiliated schools from outside India are not required to teach Indian languages compulsorily.
Foreign students returning to India would also be granted exemptions.
Students, whose parents shift to another state, can pursue their chosen third language.
There must be proper provisions for learning purposes.
There could be use of existing teachers, retired teachers, postgraduates teachers, or even e-learning.
According to CBSE, the new policy supports Indian languages as per NEP 2020.
Last but not least, CBSE has also assured about the non-increase of examination pressure.
Actually, this is meant to ease language learning process.
CBSE latest guidelines
