India, July 16 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) decision to introduce a compulsory third language at the class 9 level, observing that it placed avoidable academic pressure on students already preparing for board examinations and suggesting that any such language should instead be introduced from Class 6.

The remarks by Justice BV Nagarathna assume significance as they come barely a fortnight after the CBSE announced a one-time relaxation for the current batch of Class 9 students, exempting them from taking the third language in the Class 10 Board examination after widespread concerns from schools, parents and students over the abrupt implementation of the policy.

Justice Naga...