Starting July 1, 2026 , students entering Class 9 under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will face new language requirements. The board mandates a three-language system, requiring students to study three languages, designated R1, R2, and R3. This policy aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023.
Language Mandate Shifts
A key condition of the new policy is that two of the three compulsory languages must be Indian languages . This impacts students who have been studying foreign languages like French, German, or Spanish for years. English is categorized as a foreign language within this specific curriculum structure.
Options for Foreign Language Study
Students wishing to continue their foreign language studies face limited options. They must either drop English entirely from their three language choices or add the foreign language as a fourth elective subject (R4).
Option 1: Dropping English
To continue a foreign language as one of the three required subjects, students must remove English. This means their language combination would be: one foreign language, and two Indian languages. However, this option is difficult as most academic content is delivered in English.
Option 2: Adding a Fourth Language
A more common path for English-medium students is to retain English as a core language. They then add two Indian languages. The foreign language is then taken as an additional, fourth elective subject (R4).
Example Language Combinations
CBSE has provided example structures for students.
| Language Slot | Example 1 (Standard) | Example 2 (Foreign Language Focus) |
| R1 | English | French |
| R2 | Indian Language 1 (e.g., Hindi) | Indian Language 1 (e.g., Hindi) |
| R3 | Indian Language 2 (e.g., Sanskrit) | Indian Language 2 (e.g., Sanskrit) |
| R4 (Additional Elective) | Not applicable | English |
Students must carefully consider these pathways. The policy aims to promote Indian languages while accommodating continued foreign language learning.
