India, July 15 -- The Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT have strongly defended in the Supreme Court the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's three-language framework, saying it is essential for promoting "multilingualism and national integration". The Union Ministry of Education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in separate affidavits, have sought the dismissal of pleas filed against the three-language policy adopted in CBSE-affiliated schools across the country. Meanwhile, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre, the NCERT and the CBSE on two fresh pleas challenging the board's policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class-9 students. Also Read - RSS chief Bhagwat to address women on 'contemporary motherhood' in Delhi, Hyderabad The ministry, in an affidavit, has said the three-language policy is essential for promoting multilingualism and national integration. Recommendations concerning language education and multilingual learning form part of the larger educational reforms contemplated under the NEP, it has said. "National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, in pursuance of NEP-2020, reiterates the implementation of the three-language formula and recommends that students study three languages during Grades VI to X, with at least two of such languages being native Indian languages," the ministry has said. Also Read - Sena (UBT) MPs' switch 'foolproof'; speaker's decision before Monsoon session: Eknath Shinde "The vision of the policy is to instil among the learners a deep-rooted pride in being Indian, not only in thought, but also in spirit, intellect and deeds, as well as to develop knowledge, skills, values and dispositions that support responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable development and living, and global well-being, thereby reflecting a truly global citizen," it has said. The CBSE has said the language policy has been introduced through a "planned, phased and systematic" process and does not force students to abandon foreign languages. In an affidavit filed in response to a petition challenging the board's May 15 circular on the three-language scheme, the CBSE has said, "The formulation of curriculum, the Scheme of Studies, the choice and sequencing of languages, the pedagogy and the mode of assessment are quintessentially matters of academic policy falling within the domain of expert educational bodies, and the scope of judicial review in such matters is narrow...." It has submitted that the petitioners' concerns have already been substantially addressed through guidelines issued on June 29 and a subsequent circular dated July 10, which provide transitional relaxations, exemptions and safeguards to ensure that no student is disadvantaged during implementation. According to the affidavit, students currently in Class 10 (2026-27) will continue under the existing two-language system and will not be required to study a third language.
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