CBSE three-language policy: Supreme Court says will stay any action against teachers over non-implementation

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it will intervene if any action is taken against teachers who do not follow the Central Board of School Education (CBSE)'s three-language policy mandate for Class IX students

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana made the observation while directing the CBSE to file a response to a petition challenging the policy over shortage of relevant textbooks and its sudden implementation.

"Come to us we will stay those dismissals," CJI Kant remarked while responding to a submission that action may be taken against teachers in case they do not teach the languages.

Meanwhile, Justice Bagchi highlighted the importance of learning the languages.

"Native Indian language may be seen as Indian indigenous language also. The notification is carrying ahead the constitutional goal of learning Hindi and other Indian languages. Nomenclature may require some relook. Spirit is very clear. Question is can indian consider english as indian indigenous language. At one point Parsi was language of this court but is it there in the 8th schedule," the judge said.

The Court in May also had sought responses from the Union Government, CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on a similar petition challenging the CBSE circular mandating the study of three languages including two regional languages from Class 6 to class 9

The plea challenged a May 15 CBSE circular aligning its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. Under the revised framework, students studying in Classes VI to IX from July 2026 are required to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages.

Petitioners, including parents and teachers from multiple cities, have argued that the sudden implementation imposes an additional academic burden mid-session. They also contend that this disrupts preparation for Class X board examinations, and lacks adequate infrastructure such as trained teachers and textbooks.

They have also flagged concerns about unequal regional impact and the absence of clarity on evaluation patterns for the additional language.

Today, Senior Advocate Anand Grover submitted that circular was against the provisions of the Right to Education Act and that languages were being imposed without any alternative.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan highlighted the shortage of books and manpower.

"We are here for class 6 and 9 students.. first the most practical problem is that one State has said that by first July all books have to be available. Now only books of 3 out of 22 languages are available. This creates manpower issue also because of no teachers. They say non-native language is different than native language..." the senior counsel said.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi also made a similar argument.

"A child is studying English and French and suddenly a 14 year old class 9 student is told learn Tamil now. Where will we get the teachers, the infrastructure etc. from where," he said.

The Court then said that it will issue notice to the CBSE.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati said a response will be filed within two weeks.

However, the Court said it will hear the matter after 10 days on July 22.