Educators and parents in the UAE are breathing a sigh of relief as the CBSE’s new three-language mandate for Classes 9 and 10 appears far more accommodating than initially feared. While the policy, rooted in India’s National Education Policy 2020, requires students to study three languages starting in the 2026–27 academic year, school principals have confirmed that overseas institutions are granted significant flexibility. Specifically, schools can designate English as the first language, an Indian language as the second, and Arabic as the third. Importantly, this third language will be assessed internally rather than through a board examination, significantly reducing the academic burden on students.

Despite the positive adjustments, some schools remain cautious regarding the future of foreign language electives. While integrating Arabic as the third language is a straightforward process for Gulf-based institutions, the mandate to provide two native Indian languages complicates the status of languages like French, which many schools currently offer as a second language option. Principals are now looking toward the anticipated CBSE Global Curriculum to provide further clarity and potential pathways for incorporating international languages, hoping that future revisions will continue to balance Indian academic standards with the diverse needs of the global student population.