Starting July 1, 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement a new requirement mandating that students from Grade 9 study three languages. According to the official circular, at least two of these languages must be native to India. To ease the transition, the Board clarified that there will be no external Board examination for the third language. Instead, all assessments for this subject will be managed internally by schools, ensuring that student performance is recorded on certificates without negatively impacting their eligibility for Grade 10 Board exams.

To support this rollout, the CBSE has permitted schools to use Grade 6 textbooks for the third language until specialized secondary-level curriculum materials are developed, encouraging educators to supplement these with local literary content. For institutions struggling with a shortage of specialized faculty, the Board is offering flexibility, allowing schools to utilize virtual teaching, share resources with other schools, or hire qualified postgraduates and retired teachers. Furthermore, the policy includes specific exemptions and accommodations for international schools, returning foreign students, and children with special needs to ensure a smooth and inclusive implementation.