The Supreme Court on Thursday (August 20) asked the Centre, NCERT and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to reconsider parts of the board's three-language policy and address concerns surrounding its implementation. It also directed CBSE to examine whether pupils already enrolled in Class 6 could get an exemption from the revised language requirement.&nbsp;A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard petitions challenging CBSE circulars introducing the language framework from the 2026-27 academic session. The judges stopped short of cancelling the policy and instead sought a fresh assessment of its practical application.<h2>Court questions classification of English</h2>Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the description of English as a "non-native" language under the proposed framework. He also objected to CBSE's use of the word "native" in the language scheme formulated under the National Education Policy 2020.&nbsp;“To what extent can English be considered a non-indigenous language? I have reservations about the expression ‘native’ because of its colonial origin. It should be ‘indigenous’. The framers of the National Education Policy 2020 should have been conscious of the use of the word ‘native', he said&nbsp;The bench said it would consider whether English should constitutionally be regarded as an indigenous or non-indigenous language in India.&nbsp;"Whether English can be termed indigenous or non-indigenous, we have to see its constitutionality", Justice Bagchi added.&nbsp;He also questioned the basis for treating English as foreign or non-indigenous given its long association with India and its status as an official language in several states.&nbsp;The proposed system requires pupils in Classes 5 to 9 to study two Indian "native" languages alongside a third language. Petitioners have raised concerns about the availability of suitable textbooks, trained educators and other facilities required to support the scheme.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/major-setback-for-hemant-soren-governement-as-high-court-puts-hold-on-jpsc-exam-cancellation-1787223580845">Major setback for Hemant Soren governement as High Court puts hold on JPSC, JSSC exam cancellation</a><h2>Bench flags teacher and resource gaps</h2>The judges also sought clarity on whether schools have adequate administrative and academic infrastructure to introduce the arrangement. Justice Bagchi specifically questioned the availability of qualified Sanskrit teachers.&nbsp;"How many Sanskrit teachers are B.Ed. qualified in our schools?", Justice Bagchi asked.&nbsp;Chief Justice Surya Kant said the issues highlighted during the proceedings could warrant a review of the framework.&nbsp;"These doubts — you may revisit. How to streamline the policy? Yours is an expert body", the CJI said.The bench separately asked CBSE to assess whether children currently in Class 6 could remain outside the revised structure. Justice Bagchi indicated that those who have already chosen their languages could be given relief, with the new arrangement introduced for the subsequent Class 6 batch.&nbsp;The court also sought clarity on whether schools can provide adequate teachers and study materials for all 23 proposed languages. It observed that presenting students with language options alone would not guarantee access to proper instruction. Schools would need trained educators, textbooks and supporting resources for students to pursue their chosen languages.

The Supreme Court questioned CBSE's three-language policy and asked authorities to review its implementation, including the classification of English and concerns over teachers and resources.

The Supreme Court on Thursday (August 20) asked the Centre, NCERT and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to reconsider parts of the board's three-language policy and address concerns surrounding its implementation. It also directed CBSE to examine whether pupils already enrolled in Class 6 could get an exemption from the revised language requirement. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard petitions challenging CBSE circulars introducing the language framework from the 2026-27 academic session. The judges stopped short of cancelling the policy and instead sought a fresh assessment of its practical application. Court questions classification of English Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the description of English as a "non-native" language under the proposed framework. He also objected to CBSE's use of the word "native" in the language scheme formulated under the National Education Policy 2020. “To what extent can English be considered a non-indigenous language? I have reservations about the expression ‘native’ because of its colonial origin. It should be ‘indigenous’. The framers of the National Education Policy 2020 should have been conscious of the use of the word ‘native', he said The bench said it would consider whether English should constitutionally be regarded as an indigenous or non-indigenous language in India. "Whether English can be termed indigenous or non-indigenous, we have to see its constitutionality", Justice Bagchi added. He also questioned the basis for treating English as foreign or non-indigenous given its long association with India and its status as an official language in several states. The proposed system requires pupils in Classes 5 to 9 to study two Indian "native" languages alongside a third language. Petitioners have raised concerns about the availability of suitable textbooks, trained educators and other facilities required to support the scheme. Also Read: Major setback for Hemant Soren governement as High Court puts hold on JPSC, JSSC exam cancellation Bench flags teacher and resource gaps The judges also sought clarity on whether schools have adequate administrative and academic infrastructure to introduce the arrangement. Justice Bagchi specifically questioned the availability of qualified Sanskrit teachers. "How many Sanskrit teachers are B.Ed. qualified in our schools?", Justice Bagchi asked. Chief Justice Surya Kant said the issues highlighted during the proceedings could warrant a review of the framework. "These doubts — you may revisit. How to streamline the policy? Yours is an expert body", the CJI said. The bench separately asked CBSE to assess whether children currently in Class 6 could remain outside the revised structure. Justice Bagchi indicated that those who have already chosen their languages could be given relief, with the new arrangement introduced for the subsequent Class 6 batch. The court also sought clarity on whether schools can provide adequate teachers and study materials for all 23 proposed languages. It observed that presenting students with language options alone would not guarantee access to proper instruction. Schools would need trained educators, textbooks and supporting resources for students to pursue their chosen languages.

The Supreme Court questioned CBSE's three-language policy and asked authorities to review its implementation, including the classification of English and concerns over teachers and resources.

CBSE three-language policy: SC questions English 'non-native' tag, flags implementation issues

The Supreme Court on Thursday (July 16) asked the Centre and education boards to reconsider introducing a third language from Class 9, saying the move would place unnecessary pressure on students as they prepare for their board examinations. The court suggested that the subject should instead be introduced from Class 6.&nbsp;"Third language should stop in Class 9, not start in Class 9," Justice Nagarathna said while hearing a case related to the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;During the hearing, the apex court also advised the Tamil Nadu government not to oppose the Centre's three-language policy merely because it had been introduced by the Union government.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/do-not-deploy-indian-sailors-india-warns-shipping-firms-over-hormuz-amid-us-iran-tensions-1784198857211">'Do not deploy Indian sailors': India warns shipping firms over Hormuz amid US-Iran tensions</a>&nbsp;The remarks came while the court was hearing an appeal against a Madras High Court order directing the state government to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in every district. The schools follow the three-language policy, which Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed, arguing that it is not in line with the state's long-standing two-language policy.<h3>Justice Nagarathna cites board exam pressure</h3>Justice Nagarathna referred to her own school education and said students in her school started learning a third language during middle school. She said this gave them enough time to become familiar with the language before entering secondary education.&nbsp;"In the middle school, the third language was started... The earlier, the better," she observed.Recalling her academic experience in the 1970s, the judge said students were introduced to Class 10 concepts as early as Class 8 because of the demands of board examinations.&nbsp;"And this was in 1976. You can just imagine what the pressure would be on children now," she said, adding that the burden of Class 10 examinations begins well before students reach secondary school.&nbsp;The observations come weeks after the Central Board of Secondary Education revised the implementation of its three-language policy following widespread objections from schools, parents and students.&nbsp;In a circular issued on May 15, CBSE directed affiliated schools to make a third language compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, 2026, although its revised framework had proposed a phased rollout beginning from Class 6. Schools were also instructed to temporarily use Class 6 textbooks until dedicated learning material becomes available.

The Supreme Court asked the Centre and education boards to reconsider introducing a third language from Class 9, suggesting it should begin in Class 6 to reduce pressure on students ahead of board examinations.

The Supreme Court on Thursday (July 16) asked the Centre and education boards to reconsider introducing a third language from Class 9, saying the move would place unnecessary pressure on students as they prepare for their board examinations. The court suggested that the subject should instead be introduced from Class 6. "Third language should stop in Class 9, not start in Class 9," Justice Nagarathna said while hearing a case related to the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in Tamil Nadu. During the hearing, the apex court also advised the Tamil Nadu government not to oppose the Centre's three-language policy merely because it had been introduced by the Union government. Also Read: 'Do not deploy Indian sailors': India warns shipping firms over Hormuz amid US-Iran tensions The remarks came while the court was hearing an appeal against a Madras High Court order directing the state government to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in every district. The schools follow the three-language policy, which Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed, arguing that it is not in line with the state's long-standing two-language policy. Justice Nagarathna cites board exam pressure Justice Nagarathna referred to her own school education and said students in her school started learning a third language during middle school. She said this gave them enough time to become familiar with the language before entering secondary education. "In the middle school, the third language was started... The earlier, the better," she observed. Recalling her academic experience in the 1970s, the judge said students were introduced to Class 10 concepts as early as Class 8 because of the demands of board examinations. "And this was in 1976. You can just imagine what the pressure would be on children now," she said, adding that the burden of Class 10 examinations begins well before students reach secondary school. The observations come weeks after the Central Board of Secondary Education revised the implementation of its three-language policy following widespread objections from schools, parents and students. In a circular issued on May 15, CBSE directed affiliated schools to make a third language compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, 2026, although its revised framework had proposed a phased rollout beginning from Class 6. Schools were also instructed to temporarily use Class 6 textbooks until dedicated learning material becomes available.

The Supreme Court asked the Centre and education boards to reconsider introducing a third language from Class 9, suggesting it should begin in Class 6 to reduce pressure on students ahead of board examinations.

'Why introduce in Class 9?': SC flags board exam stress, backs third language from Class 6

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CBSE three-language policy: SC questions English 'non-native' tag, flags implementation issues

'Why introduce it in Class 9?': SC questions CBSE's three language policy