Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, CBSE will allow students in Class 6 to choose a foreign language as a third language, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. This pushes for the introduction of a third language distinct from the two Indian languages, for students in Class 6.
According to official sources, quoted by the Indian Express said, English will be deemed a 'foreign' language. The NEP emphasizes that at least two of the three languages must be 'indigenous to India.' For schools that offer English in Class 6, it will serve as the sole 'foreign' language permitted, alongside two Indian languages.
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Mandatory third language in future
If another foreign language is taught as the third language in Class 6, like French or German, it will have to be accompanied by two Indian languages, according to reports. This also paves the way for the third language to be made mandatory all the way until Class 10 in later years, the NCFSE recommends that all three languages continue in Classes 9 and 10.
The Class 10 Board examination in 2031 will require students to write an exam for the third language as well, unlike the current system of two languages, the source said.
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Third language to be introduced in intermediate stage
The NCFSE indicates that a third language (R3) is introduced during the intermediate stage (Classes 6-8) and necessitates sufficient time for the cultivation of fundamental interpersonal communication abilities. "R3 has been allocated more time compared to R2 and R1, as the acquisition of a third, unfamiliar language in the Intermediate Stage demands ample time and practice," reported the Indian Express.
Since the NCFSE specifies the proficiency that a student must acquire in the third language in the middle and secondary stages of school, textbooks aligned with these recommendations will have to be developed. The Board will issue details soon, along with learning material. For the third language in Class 6, the CBSE is preparing learning material for nine languages for the 2026-27 academic session. This will include Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati and Bangla, as per the report.
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