New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend to Class VI students the same relaxation in implementing the revised three-language formula that has already been granted to students of Classes VII, VIII and IX.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the CBSE to ensure that students currently studying in Class VI are not subjected to a mandatory Board examination in the third language when they reach Class X.
The bench issued the direction after taking note of the transitional arrangement explained by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, under which students of Classes VII, VIII and IX would continue studying the third language but would not have to appear for a CBSE Board examination in the subject.
“There will be no pass/failure. There will only be an appearance certificate,” the Supreme Court observed, despite the Centre opposing the extension of the relaxation to Class VI students.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that detailed discussions had taken place on the court’s earlier suggestion to exempt the present batch of Class VI students from the revised three-language formula.
The Centre opposed extending the relaxation to Class VI students and sought permission to implement the policy for the current academic year.
Mehta said that of the 28,819 CBSE schools, about 1.2% were yet to put the required facilities in place, while the remaining schools were compliant and textbooks and other learning materials were available.
The Supreme Court, however, indicated that a “soft launch” could be adopted for Class VI students in view of the logistical difficulties involved in implementing the revised framework at this stage.
In its order, the court recorded the submissions on school preparedness and directed that “students of VI standard may be granted the same exemption as granted to Class VII students.”
Under the relaxation, Class VI students will continue studying the third language as part of their curriculum but will not face a mandatory CBSE Board examination in the subject when they reach Class X. Their promotion or certification also cannot be stalled because of the third-language Board examination.
The bench further said it would intervene if any school held back a student on account of the internal assessment in the third language.
The court also directed the CBSE to appoint an officer to reach out to schools that are yet to put the required infrastructure in place and assess the difficulties they are facing.
The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions challenging the CBSE’s revised three-language formula, under which students are required to study three languages, including at least two Indian languages.
Earlier, the court had issued notices on petitions challenging the policy and sought responses from the Centre, CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The petitions challenge the CBSE Secondary School Curriculum for Classes IX-X for 2026-27 and circulars dated April 9 and May 4. The petitioners contend that the revised framework restricts students’ academic choices by making the study of two Indian languages compulsory from Class VI.
The petitioners, represented by senior advocate Anand Grover, advocate Tripti Tandon and advocate-on-record Rohit Kumar-I, also raised concerns over the availability of teachers, textbooks and teaching materials. They alleged that the revised curriculum was introduced after the academic session had already begun.
The Supreme Court had earlier declined to stay implementation of the revised policy while agreeing to examine concerns related to its implementation, including the availability of teachers and study materials.
The CBSE subsequently issued implementation guidelines clarifying the transitional arrangements for the third language. Under the existing relaxation, students of Classes VII, VIII and IX would not face a Board examination in the third language in Class X, with assessment conducted internally at the school level.
