Indian Education Ministry allows ClassesEducation Ministry allows Classes 7-9 students to continue two foreign languages
The Indian Education Ministry announced on June 26, 2026, that students in Classes 7-9 of CBSE-affiliated schools can continue learning foreign languages until they finish Class 10, as the three-language policy requirement will only apply prospectively from Class VI.
This decision prevents retrospective enforcement for students already enrolled in foreign language programs, ensuring educational continuity for middle school students. The clarification matters because it balances national language policy goals with practical fairness for students already committed to foreign language studies.
Indian Education Ministry
The Indian Education Ministry clarified that the three-language policy requirement will only apply prospectively from Class VI, ensuring fairness for students already enrolled in Classes 7-9 who can complete their current foreign language studies until Class 10.
CBSE-affiliated schools
CBSE-affiliated schools across India can now continue their current foreign language programs for Classes 7-9 without disruption, allowing students to finish their current academic year under existing language arrangements.
- India's three-language policy was first introduced in 1968 to promote national unity while respecting linguistic diversity across 22 officially recognized languages.
- Class 10 board examinations in India are typically taken by students around age 15-16, serving as a critical milestone for higher education pathway selection.
- The Ministry of Education oversees both CBSE and state education boards, coordinating curriculum standards across India's 28 states and 8 union territories.
