Supreme Court to hear next week plea challenging CBSE’s three-language mandate in Class 9

Petitioners have raised concerns over feasibility and potential burden the mandatory three-language requirement may impose on students and the education system.

News Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine next week a petition challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) decision making the study of three languages — including at least two native Indian languages — compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi. 

He described the petition as an urgent public interest litigation (PIL) filed by students, teachers and parents.

“The new policy of the CBSE makes two additional languages compulsory in Class 9. This will create chaos,” Rohatgi submitted, urging the court to list the matter preferably on Monday.

The Chief Justice, however, said the plea would be heard next week during the miscellaneous matters listing.

The CBSE’s recent circular, which comes into effect from the new academic session, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 

The policy promotes multilingualism through the three-language formula, encouraging students to learn at least two Indian languages alongside one other language, while leaving implementation flexibility to States and individual schools.

The petitioners have raised concerns over the feasibility and potential burden the mandatory three-language requirement may impose on students and the education system.