Senior Congress leaders have urged the Central government to suspend the implementation of the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) three-language policy for Class IX students, arguing that schools are unprepared for its rollout from July 1.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, forwarding a representation submitted by a group of parents of CBSE Class IX students who oppose the policy’s mid-session implementation.
“I am forwarding herewith a representation received from a group of concerned parents of CBSE Class IX students, opposing the mandatory implementation of the three-language policy in the current mid-session,” Singh wrote in his letter.
After reviewing the representation, Singh said the concerns raised by parents appeared genuine and required immediate attention. He argued that implementing the policy without sufficient teachers, textbooks or transition time could cause significant disruption to students and schools.
According to Singh, CBSE’s Governing Body had, during its December 2025 meeting, ratified a recommendation by its Curriculum Committee that schools should continue with the existing language scheme until graded language textbooks were released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Singh questioned why CBSE later issued a circular on May 15, 2026 directing schools to begin third-language instruction in Class IX from July 1, despite the earlier recommendation.
“It is not clear how and why the CBSE has so evidently overturned its Governing Body’s decision, and in a way that threatens the academic planning of thousands of schools across the country,” Singh said.
The CBSE policy mandates that students in Class IX study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages. Students wishing to study a foreign language may do so as the third language only if the other two languages are Indian languages, or alternatively as a fourth language.
Singh also pointed to the absence of graded NCERT textbooks for the newly mandated language instruction. He noted that CBSE has recommended the use of NCERT Grade VI language textbooks until appropriate material becomes available.
The Congress leader argued that the issue could be particularly challenging for students in southern and northeastern states where Hindi is not widely spoken and where some tribal languages may not be included in CBSE’s recognised language list.
He further highlighted concerns regarding Sanskrit instruction.
“Sanskrit has emerged as a popular third language choice for many schools but it should also be noted that there is a severe shortage of qualified Sanskrit teachers and appropriate textbooks, a situation that would defeat the very purpose of promoting this beautiful language,” he said.
Calling for immediate intervention, Singh wrote: “Rising above all other considerations, my respectful recommendation is that the implementation of this policy for current Class IX students be put on hold immediately.”
Referring to ongoing legal proceedings related to the matter, he added: “I understand that the matter is sub-judice but that the verdict of the honourable Court is only due on 15th July, 2026. This is after the date on which schools are meant to be implementing the instruction of the third language (i.e., 1st July 2026). Therefore, I earnestly hope that the matter will receive your urgent and sympathetic consideration in the interest of the millions of students whose academic futures depend on sound and well-prepared policy decisions.”
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also criticised the move, describing the compulsory introduction of a third language for Classes IX and X as “arbitrary” and “unplanned.”
Sharing Singh’s letter, Ramesh said the decision contradicted CBSE’s earlier position and established academic planning practices.
“The Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has written to the Prime Minister seeking a halt to the arbitrary, unplanned addition of a third language to Grade 9 and 10 CBSE curriculum – in direct contradiction of the CBSE Governing Body’s own decision and all norms of academic planning,” Ramesh said.
CBSE’s notification issued on May 15 states that the three-language requirement will come into effect for Class IX students from July 1, 2026. The board has clarified that there will be no Class X board examination for the third language and that assessment will remain school-based and internal.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education and senior @INCIndia leader @digvijaya_28 has written to the Prime Minister seeking a halt to the arbitrary, unplanned addition of a third language to Grade 9 and 10 CBSE curriculum – in direct contradiction of the… pic.twitter.com/gpY5hLloGx
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 7, 2026
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