3 min learnNew DelhiFeb 26, 2026 05:44 AM IST
From the 2026-27 tutorial session onward, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is about to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 suggestions on introducing a 3rd language — aside from two Indian languages — to college students in Class 6.
Official sources stated English will probably be thought-about a “foreign” language. The NEP states that not less than two of the three languages needs to be “native to India”.
For faculties that train English in Class 6, it can grow to be the one “foreign” language that may be taught, along with two Indian languages, a supply stated.
If one other overseas language is taught because the third language in Class 6, like French or German, it should be accompanied by two Indian languages, the supply stated.
This additionally paves the way in which for the third language to be made necessary all the way in which till Class 10 in later years — the NCFSE recommends that each one three languages proceed in Classes 9 and 10.
The Class 10 Board examination in 2031 would require college students to put in writing an examination for the third language as properly, in contrast to the present system of two languages, the supply stated.
Since the NCFSE specifies the proficiency {that a} scholar should purchase within the third language within the center and secondary phases of faculty, textbooks aligned with these suggestions should be developed. The Board will subject particulars quickly, together with studying materials. For the third language in Class 6, the CBSE is making ready studying materials for 9 languages for the 2026-27 tutorial session. This will embody Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati and Bangla, the supply stated.
The NCFSE states {that a} third language (R3) will get launched within the center stage (Classes 6-8) and requires an satisfactory period of time to develop primary interpersonal communication abilities. “R3 has been given more time than R2 and R1 as the learning of a third unfamiliar language in the Middle Stage requires adequate time and practice,” it states.
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For Classes 9 and 10, the NCFSE states: “All three languages (R1, R2, and R3) will continue in the secondary stage. By the end of Grade 10, schools will ensure the development of the capacity for basic communication for social purposes in R1, R2, and R3, and linguistic proficiency for academic use in the classrooms in R1 and R2, and to the extent possible, in R3.”
The NCFSE specifies that “language education plays a crucial role in keeping students rooted to their country, as it allows individuals to connect with their culture, heritage, and society… India is a country with a rich linguistic heritage, comprising scores of languages with a great literary heritage… Exposure to two other languages (R2 and R3) will help students to become multilingual, appreciate unity in diversity, and thereby help form a national identity.”
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