India, May 17 -- In a major policy shift, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday announced a major curriculum revision. Starting July 1, 2026, all students entering Class 9 in affiliated schools must study three languages. This requirement aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. Languages are categorised as R1 (primary), R2 (second), and R3 (third), with at least two being native Indian languages. English may be included, but the focus remains on promoting linguistic diversity and cultural rootedness.

This initiative extends a phased rollout that commenced with Class 6 earlier in 2026. For the current Class 9 cohort, CBSE has. This ...