Supreme Court asks CBSE to consider one-year relief for current Class 6 students under three-language policy

The Supreme Court has asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider providing a one-year accommodation to students currently in Class 6 under the board’s three-language policy. The request was made while a three-judge bench heard petitions challenging the policy.

The court has not granted an exemption. Instead, it asked CBSE to examine whether the current Class 6 batch could be given relief for the ongoing academic year. The issue is expected to be considered further when the matter returns to the court.

The three-language policy requires students to study three languages, including two Indian languages, from Class 9. The petitioners have challenged the policy, leading to the matter being heard by the Supreme Court.

The court’s request concerns students who are already part of the current Class 6 batch. Any accommodation would apply to the ongoing academic year, according to the details available from the hearing.

Supreme Court seeks CBSE’s consideration

The three-judge bench asked the education board to examine the possibility of providing the proposed relief. The direction places the immediate question of accommodation before CBSE while the broader challenge to the policy remains pending before the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government during the hearing. The available information does not indicate that the court issued a final ruling on the validity or implementation of the three-language policy.

The distinction is significant for students and schools because the court has so far sought CBSE’s consideration rather than ordered a blanket exemption. The board’s response will help determine how the policy is handled for the current Class 6 students during this academic year.

Next hearing on September 17

The hearing has been deferred, and the Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the matter again on September 17, 2026. The next hearing is expected to provide an opportunity for the court to consider CBSE’s position on the requested accommodation.

Until then, the policy challenge remains under consideration. The immediate development is limited to the court asking CBSE to examine one-year relief for the current Class 6 batch; no final decision on that relief has been reported.