The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to pass interim orders on a petition challenging implementation of the CBSE’s three-language policy that made it compulsory for Class IX students to study three languages, including two native Indian languages, from 2026-27 academic year commencing on July 1.
“We cannot pass a single-line order today. This matter was argued at length. There is no question of interim protection,” a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana told the counsel for ‘Friends of People for Active Democracy’, who submitted that the CBSE was required to issue detailed guidelines by June 15.
The Bench ordered the NGO’s petition to be tagged with similar petitions for hearing on July 14.
The NGO’s counsel submitted that they are not challenging the three-language policy of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) per se but only the implementation part of it.
CJI Kant wondered if the name of the NGO – ‘Friends of People for Active Democracy’ was meant to create fear in the mind of the court or the people.
“No, My Lord. That’s the name of the trust. It’s an old trust set up in 2013,” the counsel said.
The Supreme Court had on May 27 issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT on a PIL challenging the CBSE’s three-language policy.
A Bench of CJII Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi had asked them to file “comprehensive” replies within two weeks and posted the matter for the second week of July.
It had also asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to submit a report on the logistical preparedness of the CBSE for implementing the decision.
On behalf of the petitioners Yashica Bhandari Jain and others, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi had submitted that the CBSE’s May 15 circular mandated students to study three languages from the very next academic year. “Even textbooks are not available,” Rohatgi had submitted.
The petitioners have sought quashing of the May 15 CBSE circular on three-language policy and restoration of the position declared in the Board’s April 9 notification deferring compulsory implementation of the three-language for Class IX until 2029-30.
They have demanded an interim protection against enforcement of the revised policy for existing students.
In its May 15 circular, the CBSE made the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, compulsory for Class IX students beginning July 1.
The decision is in tune with the National Education Policy 2020 which emphasises multilingualism and the “three-language formula”, encouraging students to learn multiple languages, including at least two Indian languages, with flexibility left to states and schools to choose the languages.
CBSE students typically studied two languages — English and Hindi or a regional language up to Class X. However, the May 15 circular requires students beginning Class 9 to study an additional language, increasing the number of languages studied at the secondary level.
Terming it an arbitrary decision, the petitioners submitted that schools, students and parents had planned their academic year relying on that representation, and that the sudden change with barely weeks before implementation has caused widespread uncertainty and disruption.
