Bhubaneswar: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement key recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE 2023) from the 2026–27 academic session, introducing a revised three-language structure beginning in Class 6.
Under the new framework, students will study three languages, with at least two required to be Indian languages. English will be treated as a “foreign” language for policy purposes, meaning it may count as the third language alongside two Indian languages.
Official sources clarified that in schools where English is already taught in Class 6, it will serve as the one permitted foreign language in addition to two Indian languages. If another foreign language — such as French or German — is introduced as the third language, it must still be accompanied by two Indian languages.
The NCFSE further recommends that all three languages continue through Classes 9 and 10, paving the way for the third language to eventually become mandatory up to the secondary level.
The move is aimed at promoting multilingualism, strengthening foundational language skills, and aligning school curricula with NEP’s emphasis on linguistic diversity and cognitive development.
-OdishaAge
