ShaaN

In April 2026, when the CBSE announced that three languages for Class VI students shall be made compulsory and 2 of the three languages shall be native to India, I was one amongst many who welcomed this decision that allows Children to learn multiple languages from a young age, which would help them to broaden their understanding of India’s diverse literary landscape. In the very same notification released in April 2026, it was explicitly mentioned that the Third language for Class IX children studying in CBSE schools will be made compulsory only from the Academic year 2029-30, which is 3 years from now. However, on 15th May 2026, the CBSE sent a notification to all affiliated schools introducing the third compulsory language for Class IX students from this academic year, rolling back its previous commitment to make it compulsory only from the academic year 2029-30. This has come as a shock to many parents, especially those from TN, as their Children have already selected a language of choice in Class VI, and now the revised notification mandates that Class IX students learn 3 languages, 2 of which are native to India, with effect from 1st July 2026. Expecting a Class IX student to learn a new language in a short time will only pressurise children and affect their overall learning outcomes. I request the Ministry of Education to roll back this notification immediately and to stick to the previous commitment to introduce the learning of 3 languages, of which 2 shall be native Indian languages, for Class IX, from the academic year 2029-30.