The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 17) reiterated that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) should consider granting a one-time relaxation to Class VI students from the newly introduced third-language requirement, observing that the policy should not be introduced as a surprise to children and their families during the academic year.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana made the observations while hearing petitions challenging CBSE's third language policy.

The Court indicated that the relaxation could be considered for the current Class VI batch, while the revised arrangement could be made mandatory for students entering Class VI from January 2027. The bench clarified that such a measure would be without prejudice to the petitioners' legal contentions regarding the validity of the policy.

"From next year, you can have this exercise from 6th standard...2020 the policy was envisaged...it has been put in place in early months of 2026...we are saying put it in early 2027...so that everyone comes to terms with it...give some elbow space. This will be without prejudice to petitioners' contentions regarding policy coming from the date that was notified", Justice Joymalya Bagchi said.

At the outset, the Court was informed by Senior Advocate Anand Grover (for petitioners) that after the last hearing, the CBSE decided against extending relaxation to Class 6 students (at par with students of classes 7-9). The Court then impressed upon the CBSE, represented by Addl. Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, to reconsider its stance, keeping in view the comfort of the students and logistical issues of swinging a new policy at the students and their families mid-term.

The Court suggested that the 3-language policy mandate, introduced with effect from academic year 2026-27, can be applied mandatorily for class 6 students from January 1, 2027 onwards. It further said that the Board can consider providing an incentive for students to voluntarily opt for the 3-language policy even for this term. The ASG agreed to convey the Court's suggestions to the CBSE andwould come back with instructions on next Wednesday.

For context, students of Class 7, 8 and 9 have been exempted from the 3-language policy (as per which atleast 2 languages must be native Indian languages). They can continue studying 2 foreign languages and 1 Indian language. For these classes, the third language is to be assessed at the school level, not through a Board exam. Without staying the policy, the Supreme Court earlier questioned characterization of English language as "non-native" and asked CBSE/other authorities about infrastructural preparedness.

We're promoting culture of free of cost degree: CJI Surya Kant

After the hearing was over, a counsel mentioned a plea seeking relief for class 9 students. She said, "They (Class 9 students) have advanced Science and Maths. There's an issue which they have with some books. Class 9 - there are slightly different problems. Because STEM subjects have to be given little more weightage. And some schools have got full Sanskrit etc. syllabus."

While Justice Mohana asked the counsel to await CBSE's response, CJI commented, "[Everyone] wants a free of cost degree without studying anything. That's the culture we are [promoting]...Class 9 is a mature class".

Case: Yashica Bhandari Jain and others v. Union of India and others, W.P.(C) No. 694/2026 (and connected cases)