The Supreme Court on Tuesday was urged to urgently hear petitions challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) policy making the study of three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from the 2026-27 academic session.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for one of the petitioners, requested a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana to list the matter on Wednesday or Thursday, arguing that students were being affected as the academic session had already begun.

He submitted that schools lacked adequate teachers and textbooks to implement the policy. Responding to the request, the Chief Justice said, “We will see.”

The Supreme Court had earlier sought responses from the Centre, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the CBSE on fresh petitions challenging the policy and had listed the matter for hearing on July 29.

In separate affidavits, the Centre, CBSE and NCERT defended the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s three-language framework, stating that it promotes multilingualism and national integration. They sought dismissal of the petitions.

During an earlier hearing, petitioners argued that the CBSE circulars were inconsistent with the Right to Education Act and imposed language requirements without adequate alternatives. The court had also asked the Centre to submit a report on the CBSE’s preparedness to implement the policy.

The petitions challenge a CBSE circular issued on May 15, under which the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, became compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, 2026.

The policy aligns the CBSE scheme of studies with NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

Under the circular, students may study a foreign language only as the third language after learning two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language. Until dedicated third-language textbooks are available, Class 9 students will use the 2026-27 edition of Class 6 textbooks for the chosen language.

The CBSE has also stated that there will be no Class 10 board examination for the third language to reduce examination pressure on students.

Inputs from PTI

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