Students entering Class IX from the 2026-27 academic session will have to study a third language (R3), with the Central Board of Secondary Education making R3 compulsory. It has, however, exempted it from the Class X Board examinations.
“With effect from 1st July 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages,” it said.
What happens to students who want to continue studying foreign language? The CBSE has given a choice for different language combinations. In any case, studying two Indian languages is compulsory.
It said, “Students who wish to study a foreign language may do so as the third language only if the other two languages are native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.”
R3 not to be a board subject
As the same cohort carries R3 into Class X next year, the Board has provided relief by not making it a Board examination subject. “To keep the focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students, no Board Examination shall be conducted for R3 at the Class X level,” it said.
The move has settled the uncertainty around assessment of the third language for the higher classes. The Board has mandated schools to assess the third language. “All assessments for R3 shall be entirely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate,” it said.
It has also assured that “no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3.”
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Constraints remain
As per the board’s statement, several academic and logistical components are yet to fully fall in line.
For instance, dedicated textbooks for R3 at the secondary level are not yet in place. Schools have been directed to use Class VI-level textbooks (2026-27 edition) for the chosen language in Class IX, supplemented with local or state literature such as short stories, poems and non-fiction.
It has also listed a wide range of Indian languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu, for which textbooks are being developed, suggesting the options available to schools for the third language.
The Board has also acknowledged constraints in teacher availability. As an interim measure, schools may “engage existing teachers of other subjects who possess functional proficiency” in the language. It has also allowed for “inter-school resource sharing… virtual or hybrid teaching support” and the engagement of retired teachers to bridge gaps.
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At the same time, schools have been given flexibility in offering the third language from the CBSE-approved list, with the condition that at least two of the three languages studied are Indian languages. Institutions have been asked to update their language options on the OASIS portal by June 30.
The Board has also allowed relaxations for Children with Special Needs, foreign students and CBSE schools abroad, permitting flexibility in implementing the third language requirement on a case-by-case basis.