Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Plea Against CBSE’s Three-Language Policy for Class 9 Students

May 28, 2026 : The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a plea challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) policy mandating the study of three languages for Class 9 students, including at least two native Indian languages.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), seeking their responses within two weeks.

The petition challenges a recent CBSE circular under which the study of three languages has been made compulsory for students of Class 9 from July 1 onwards. The policy also requires that at least two of the three languages studied must be native Indian languages.

The revised language framework forms part of the CBSE’s effort to align its academic structure with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

During the hearing, the apex court agreed to examine the validity and implications of the policy after the plea raised concerns regarding its implementation and compulsory nature. The matter will now be taken up after the respondents file their replies.

Title Alternatives:

CBSE Three-Language Mandate for Class 9 Under Supreme Court Scrutiny

Supreme Court Examines Challenge to CBSE Three-Language Policy for Class 9

SC Issues Notice on Plea Against CBSE’s Mandatory Three-Language Rule

Supreme Court Seeks Centre, CBSE Reply on New Language Policy for Students