SC Directs CBSE to Exempt Class 6 Students From Third-Language Board Exam

September 28, 2026

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend to Class 6 students the same relaxation in the revised three-language formula that has already been granted to students of Classes 7, 8 and 9.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the CBSE to ensure that students currently in Class 6 are not required to take a mandatory Board examination in the third language when they reach Class 10.

Class 6 Students to Get Same Relaxation

The direction came after the Supreme Court took note of the transitional arrangement explained by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.

Under the arrangement, students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 will continue studying the third language but will not be required to appear for a CBSE Board examination in the subject.

“There will be no pass/failure. There will only be an appearance certificate,” the bench observed.

The Supreme Court said Class 6 students should receive the same exemption already granted to Class 7 students.

This means Class 6 students will continue studying the third language as part of their curriculum, but they will not face a mandatory CBSE Board examination in the subject when they reach Class 10.

Centre Opposes Extension of Relaxation

The Centre opposed extending the relaxation to the current Class 6 batch.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that detailed discussions had taken place on the court’s earlier suggestion to exempt Class 6 students from the revised three-language formula.

He said the government wanted to implement the policy for the current academic year.

Mehta also informed the court that out of 28,819 CBSE schools, around 1.2 per cent were yet to put the required facilities in place, while the remaining schools were compliant and textbooks and other learning material were available.

The Supreme Court, however, indicated that a “soft launch” could be adopted for Class 6 students considering the logistical difficulties involved in implementing the revised framework at this stage.

CBSE Asked to Address School Infrastructure Issues

The court also directed CBSE to appoint an officer to contact schools that have not yet put the required infrastructure in place and ascertain the difficulties they are facing.

The bench further observed that if any school were to hold back a student because of the internal assessment in the third language, the Supreme Court would intervene.

Under the relaxation already applicable to Classes 7, 8 and 9, students will not have to appear for a Board examination in the third language in Class 10, with assessment being conducted internally by schools.

Supreme Court Hearing Petitions on Three-Language Formula

The Supreme Court is examining petitions challenging the CBSE’s revised three-language formula, under which students are required to study three languages, including at least two Indian languages.

The petitions challenge the CBSE Secondary School Curriculum for Classes IX-X for 2026-27 and related circulars issued on April 9 and May 4.

The petitioners have argued that the revised framework limits students’ academic choices by making the study of two Indian languages compulsory from Class 6 onwards.

They have also raised concerns about the availability of teachers, textbooks and teaching material and argued that the revised curriculum was introduced after the academic session had already begun.

The Supreme Court had earlier declined to stay implementation of the revised policy but agreed to examine concerns relating to its implementation, including the availability of teachers and study material.

The CBSE subsequently issued implementation guidelines setting out transitional arrangements for the third language.