CBSE revises Class 9 to 10 language curriculum from 2026-27 session

The Central Board of Secondary Education has announced a major change to its language curriculum for Classes 9 and 10, starting with the 2026-27 academic session. In a circular issued on May 15, the CBSE said students entering Class IX must study three languages, designated R1, R2 and R3, from July 1, 2026, with at least two of the three languages being native Indian languages. The board also clarified that the third language, R3, will not have an external Board examination at the Class X level, with its evaluation handled internally by schools.

The CBSE’s revised framework is intended to align school education with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. Under the structure, CBSE said R2 must be different from R1, and R3 must be distinct from both. Schools may offer languages from the CBSE-approved subject list, with the requirement that at least two of the three chosen languages are native Indian languages. Foreign languages can be studied only as the third language if the other two are Indian languages, or they may be taken as an optional fourth subject.

A key element of the change is the assessment approach for R3...