The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has strongly opposed the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) mandatory three-language policy for Classes 9 and 10, arguing that it is inconsistent with Karnataka’s existing language law and difficulty to implement in the state.

The objection comes after CBSE made it compulsory for students in Classes 9 and 10 to study three languages from the 2026-27 academic year, with at least two of them being Indian languages. While foreign languages can still be studied, they are permitted only if the other two languages are Indian.

KAMS, in a letter to CBSE has maintained that Karnataka’s language law mandates Kannada to be taught as either the first or the second language in schools, making it legally untenable to offer Kannada merely as a third language. The association has said it will write to the CBSE and the Union Ministry of Education seeking a review of the policy.

D Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of KAMS, criticised the revised framework, saying, “Kannada cannot be the third language in Karnataka. It has to be the first or second language as per the state’s language law. The policy is unscientific. Earlier, students had the freedom to choose languages. Now, Indian languages have been made compulsory, reducing flexibility for students.”

Expressing concern over the policy’s long-term implications and Hindi imposition fear, Shashi Kumar added, “English continues to be the global language for higher education and employment opportunities. The new framework unnecessarily restricts students’ choices. This could indirectly lead to Hindi imposition, as Hindi or Sanskrit may eventually become compulsory for many students.”

Apart from legal concerns, KAMS has flagged implementation challenges. According to the association, schools may struggle to provide qualified teachers for multiple Indian languages and develop the necessary infrastructure within a short period.

The row has reignited the broader debate over language policy in Karnataka, where Kannada has been compulsory as either the first or second language since 2017. While CBSE says the move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to promote multilingualism, KAMS insists that any implementation must comply with Karnataka’s language legislation and safeguard students’ academic flexibility.