Extend 3-language relaxation to Class 6: Supreme Court to CBSE

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend to Class 6 students the relaxation already granted to Classes 7 to 9 under its three-language formula, allowing them to avoid any pass-fail consequence arising from assessment of the third language.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the implementation of the three-language formula.

The court had earlier suggested that students currently in Class 6 could be exempted from the requirement, citing the difficulties of introducing the policy midway through their schooling.


The Centre informed the bench that extensive discussions had taken place on the issue and urged that the policy be implemented for Class 6 from the current academic year. It said the vast majority of CBSE schools had the infrastructure, textbooks and teaching material needed to implement the scheme.

The court was also informed that students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 had already been given transitional relief under which there would be no CBSE board examination in the third language when they reach Class 10. The third language would instead be assessed internally by the school, without a pass-fail consequence affecting the board result.

Justice Bagchi observed that CBSE had by now substantially covered its school network but noted the logistical difficulties of imposing the requirement on current Class 6 students. He suggested a "soft launch" by extending to them the same benefit available to students in higher classes.

The petitioners opposed immediate implementation, submitting that students had effectively been compelled to opt for the scheme and that several schools had faced difficulties in providing textbooks, teachers and adequate language choices. Concerns were also raised over the burden on students and the availability of resources, particularly in rural areas.

Questions were also raised over the classification of English as a non-native language under the policy and its impact on students wishing to study foreign or other Indian languages. The bench indicated that the issue would be examined separately.

The court ultimately directed that Class 6 students be granted the same exemption as Class 7 students. "There will be no pass/failure. There will only be an appearance certificate," the CJI said.

The bench directed CBSE to designate an officer to contact schools that had not yet put the required infrastructure in place and ascertain the difficulties they were facing. CBSE was directed to file its counter-affidavit within four weeks, following which the petitioners may file their rejoinder. The broader challenge to the three-language policy will be considered at the next hearing.