New Delhi: The chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, Digvijay Singh, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to put the CBSE's three-language policy for Class IX students on hold.
Parents' Concerns Forwarded
In his letter, Singh forwarded a representation from a group of parents who opposed the mandatory implementation of the policy from the current academic session. He stated that the concerns raised by parents were genuine and required immediate attention.
Mid-Session Implementation Raises Alarm
Singh argued that introducing the policy in the middle of the academic session, without adequate teachers, textbooks, or transition time, could create serious disruption for students. He compared the situation to the difficulties faced during the implementation of CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.
"Having gone through the representation, I find the concerns raised to be genuine and deserving of immediate attention. The sudden enforcement of this policy mid-session -- without adequate teachers, textbooks, or transition time is likely to create serious disruption," Singh said.
Contradictory Decisions by CBSE
He pointed out that CBSE's governing body had approved a recommendation in December 2025 that schools should continue with the existing language scheme until NCERT released graded language textbooks. However, CBSE later issued a circular on May 15, 2026, directing schools to begin third-language instruction for Class IX students from July 1, 2026.
According to the letter, NCERT has not yet released the required graded textbooks. Instead, CBSE has recommended the use of NCERT's Class 6 language textbooks. Singh questioned how the earlier decision of the governing body had been reversed and said the move could affect the academic planning of thousands of schools.
Regional Challenges Highlighted
He further said the issue could be particularly challenging for students in southern and north-eastern states, where Hindi is not widely spoken and some local tribal languages may not be included in CBSE's recognised language list.
The letter also highlighted concerns over Sanskrit, which has become a preferred third-language option in many schools. However, Singh noted a shortage of qualified Sanskrit teachers and suitable textbooks.
Court Verdict Pending
The matter is currently before the court, and the verdict is expected on July 15, 2026. However, schools have been asked to begin implementing the third-language instruction from July 1, creating a potential conflict.
