Parents, students challenge CBSE three-language rule for Class 9

Key points

• Parents and students have approached the Supreme Court on Friday (May 22, 2026) for an urgent hearing against a Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) policy which has made the study of three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1. Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for the petitioners, asked how Class 9 students were to “suddenly start learning a new language” with the Class 10 Board exam looming next year.
• Rohatgi said there was clear distress among students who were already saddled with academic load and peer pressure.
• The senior advocate sought a hearing on Monday (May 25).
• The said the petition would be listed next week before the appropriate Bench The three-language rule was declared in a May 15 circular issued by the Board on May 15. The circular said that at least two of the...