CBSE Requires Third-Language Internal Test for 9-10 Students

The Central Board of Secondary Education has mandated that students in Classes 9 and 10 must pass a school-based internal assessment in a third language to be eligible for their Class 10 pass certificate, a significant change under the National Education Policy 2020. The new rules, detailed in a circular issued on July 10, will take effect from the 2027-28 academic year.

Under the revised framework, the third language, designated as R3, will not be part of the Class 10 board examination. However, students entering Class 10 in the 2027-28 session must clear the school-based R3 assessment to receive the Secondary School Examination pass certificate. The board has directed schools to conduct reassessments for any student who fails the internal assessment before the final Class 10 results are declared, providing an additional opportunity to qualify.

For Class 9, the policy offers a provisional pathway. Students who fail the third language assessment in Class 9 will still be promoted to Class 10 for the 2027-28 academic year, but they must clear the pending Class 9 assessment while studying in Class 10. The compulsory study of three languages for Class 9 students began on July 1,...