Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday, 7 June 2026, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre to immediately defer the mandatory three-language policy for CBSE Class IX students, citing disruption risks from a mid-session rollout without adequate teachers, textbooks, or transition time. The letter forwards a signed representation from a group of concerned parents of Class 9 students who have objected to the compulsory enforcement of the policy during the ongoing academic year.

The Core Complaint: CBSE Overruling Its Own Governing Body

At the heart of Singh's objection is what he describes as a direct contradiction between the CBSE Governing Body's own December 2025 decision and a subsequent circular. According to Singh, the Governing Body had accepted the Curriculum Committee's recommendation that 'schools continue with the existing Scheme of Studies, especially with regards to language until the release of graded textbooks of languages by NCERT.'

Despite this, the CBSE issued a circular on 15 May 2026 directing schools to begin third-language instruction in Grade IX from 1 July 2026. Singh questioned why the board had 'so evidently overturned its Governing Body's decision' in a manner that threatens the academic planning of thousands of schools across the country.

Textbooks Not Ready, Teachers in Short Supply

NCERT has not yet released the required graded language textbooks, and the CBSE has reportedly suggested using NCERT's Grade 6 language books as a stopgap — a move Singh and the parents view as inadequate. He drew a pointed parallel with the rollout of CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, which he said had 'adversely impacted lakhs of students across the country' due to similarly hasty implementation.

Singh also flagged a severe shortage of qualified Sanskrit teachers, noting that while Sanskrit has emerged as a popular third-language choice, the absence of trained teachers and appropriate textbooks would 'defeat the very purpose of promoting this beautiful language.'

Regional Concerns: South and Northeast Students at Risk

The Congress leader highlighted that students in southern and northeastern states could face particular difficulties, especially in regions where Hindi is not widely spoken and where local tribal languages are not included in CBSE's recognised list. He argued that the policy, as currently framed, fails to account for the linguistic diversity of India's student population.

Legal Proceedings and the Timing Problem

Singh noted that the matter is currently before the courts, but the expected verdict is scheduled after the 1 July 2026 deadline by which schools have been directed to begin implementation. This timing gap, he argued, leaves students in a legal and administrative limbo with no effective relief before the policy kicks in.

Second Modi Letter This Week

This is the second letter Singh has addressed to Prime Minister Modi within the same week. His earlier letter requested the release of a comprehensive White Paper on paper leaks and irregularities in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), citing the absence of consolidated public records and the mental stress this has caused among aspirants.

Singh, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, closed his latest letter by urging the Prime Minister to give the matter 'urgent and sympathetic consideration in the interest of the millions of students whose academic futures depend on sound and well-prepared policy decisions.' How the Centre responds — and whether it grants even a temporary deferral — will be closely watched by school administrators and parents ahead of the July deadline.