India, May 16 -- The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has formally introduced the three-language policy, making the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class 9 onwards, beginning July 1.

However, the Board clarified that there would be no board exam for the third language (R3) opted by the students in Class X, news agency ANI reported. The assessments for this language would be school-based and internal. The board said this was to keep the focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students.

The CBSE further said that schools may offer any language from the CBSE list of subjects, provided that at least two of these three chosen languages are "native Indian languages".

The CBSE circular issued on May...