The recent directive by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)—making third language (R3) compulsory from Class VI—will reshape classrooms across India from the 2026-27 academic session.

The directive explicitly states that at least two of the three languages studied must be “native to India” as defined in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. In English-medium schools, where English has long been the medium of instruction, this effectively means English counts as the lone foreign language slot. Hindi typically fills the second (Indian) slot. The third must therefore be another Indian language—Sanskrit, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi or any of the 22 scheduled languages—leaving no room for French, German, Spanish or any other foreign language in the core curriculum.

The policy draws from the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, both of which emphasise multilingualism, cultural understanding and national integration. However, its rollout has raised concerns over timing, preparedness and flexibility.

Under the R1-R2-R3 framework, students must study three languages through Class 10, with R3 introduced in Class 6. A CBSE circular dated 9 April 2026, directed schools to notify their chosen R3 languages within seven days, update records and begin........

© National Herald