Supreme Court Questions Terminology and Implementation of CBSE Three-Language Policy

The Supreme Court of India is examining the constitutionality of whether English should be considered an indigenous or non-indigenous language. This inquiry arose during hearings on a batch of pleas challenging the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) three-language mandate introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed reservations about the use of the term native in the policy due to its colonial origins, suggesting that the term indigenous should have been used instead.

The three-language policy, scheduled for implementation in the 2026-27 academic session, requires students from Class IX onwards to study three languages, including at least two Indian languages. Petitioners have challenged the mandate by citing a lack of qualified teachers, textbooks, and resources in various schools. In response, the court asked the CBSE to provide a roadmap for the rollout and to consider whether the third language should be introduced in Class 6 or shifted to Class 3 or 4.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana noted that concerns regarding school preparedness and the availability of qualified teachers warrant a reconsideration of the transition for the current Class 6 batch.