The Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) new requirement for Class 9 students to learn three languages has sparked widespread criticism from parents, educators, and students, who argue it adds unnecessary pressure and is poorly timed. The policy, set to begin in July 2026, mandates two Indian languages alongside a third language, raising concerns about academic overload.

• 01The CBSE's three-language mandate requires Class 9 students to learn two Indian languages and one additional language, effective July 2026.
• 02Parents and students are concerned about the abrupt implementation of this policy, particularly as it coincides with critical academic years.
• 03Critics argue that the policy should have been introduced earlier, ideally in Class 6, to avoid overloading students.
• 04The Supreme Court is now involved, with petitions challenging the policy due to the stress it places on students preparing for Board exams.
• 05Education bodies have called for a reconsideration of the policy, warning of potential confusion and stress in schools nationwide.

The new language policy is expected to create additional academic pressure on students, particularly those in Class 9 preparing for Board exams.