The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, agreed to examine the constitutional validity of a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) circular mandating Class IX students to study three languages — including at least two native Indian languages — from the current academic session. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, issued notices to the Centre, CBSE, and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), seeking a comprehensive reply.

What the Court Said

The bench declined to grant an interim stay on the policy's implementation. CJI Kant indicated the court would take up the matter for a final hearing in the second week of July, after the apex court reopens following its summer recess. At this stage, the bench clarified it was focused on implementation concerns — such as the availability of teachers and study material — rather than the broader federal dimension of the dispute.

Arguments Before the Court

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner, contended that the CBSE circular effectively requires students to begin studying three languages from 1 July, despite inadequate ground-level preparedness. 'Even textbooks are not available,' he submitted.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing in a connected matter, argued the policy raised significant constitutional questions touching on federalism and individual language rights. 'Language is a matter of choice and cannot be imposed,' Sibal submitted, describing the circular as having federal implications.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, opposed the request for urgent interim relief, submitting that the matter could be heard in detail later since implementation would remain subject to the court's final orders.

What the CBSE Circular Says

The CBSE issued the circular on 15 May 2025 as part of a transitional alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. Under the revised framework, Class IX students must study three languages — designated R1, R2, and R3 — with at least two being native Indian languages. A foreign language may be chosen only as the third language, provided the other two are Indian, or as an optional fourth language.

To address the textbook gap, CBSE said Class VI textbooks for the third language would serve as interim material until dedicated books are available. The board also confirmed that no Board examination would be held for the third language at the Class X level; assessment will remain internal. Schools facing teacher shortages have been permitted to adopt flexible measures including inter-school resource sharing, hybrid teaching, and engaging retired educators during the transition.

Political Reaction and Regional Concerns

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has publicly urged CBSE to withdraw the circular, warning that abrupt implementation would impose unnecessary academic burden on students and parents. In a post on X, Annamalai said that while he had initially welcomed the three-language framework introduced in April 2026, the latest circular — making it compulsory from the current session — had caused anxiety among parents, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where language politics remain deeply sensitive.

Annamalai claimed the earlier notification had indicated the Class IX requirement would come into effect only from the 2029-30 academic year, and argued that students who had already chosen their languages in Class VI should not be compelled to abruptly add another. He called on the board to reconsider.

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter substantively in the second week of July. Until then, the three-language policy remains in force, with implementation subject to whatever final directions the court issues. The case is being watched closely in southern states, where resistance to Hindi imposition has historically been strongest, and its outcome could shape the rollout of NEP 2020 language provisions nationwide.