Supreme Court Proposes Delay for CBSE's Three-Language Rule for Class 6

In a significant move to ease worries for students and parents, India's Supreme Court has suggested that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) should wait until the 2027 academic session to fully implement its new three-language policy for Class 6 students. The court, noting concerns about 'student pressure', has asked CBSE to reconsider the current plan, and the board has agreed to think about this suggestion. This policy, part of the wider National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCF-SE 2023), aims to make students learn three languages, with at least two of them being native Indian languages, or 'Bhartiya Bhashas'. While the idea is to encourage multilingualism and cultural understanding, many educators and parents feared that introducing a new Indian language suddenly in Class 6 would be too much for children, especially those already studying foreign languages. The CBSE, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, informed the court that it will consider the suggestion from a bench that included Chief Justice Surya Kant. This means students and schools might get more time to prepare for the changes. The court's suggestion offers a 'breathing space' for students, though those who wish to study three languages this year can still do so.