New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it mandatory for students to pass the third language under the Three-Language Formula to be awarded the Class 10 pass certificate, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The new rule will come into effect from the 2027-28 academic session.

According to a CBSE notification, students of Classes IX and X will be required to study three languages, comprising two Indian languages and one foreign language, as prescribed under the revised curriculum.

While the third language will not be included in the Class 10 Board examination, students must secure a pass in the school-based internal assessment of the subject to be declared successful in Class 10 and receive the pass certificate.

The Board clarified that the revised rule will not apply to students currently studying in Class X during the 2026-27 academic year. Instead, it will apply to students who are in Class IX in 2026-27, as they will appear for the Class 10 Board examination in 2027-28.

If a student fails to clear the internal assessment in the third language during Class X, the school must conduct a reassessment before the declaration of the Board examination results. Students who fail the third language in Class IX will still be promoted to Class X but must pass the internal assessment in the subject during Class X to become eligible for the Class 10 pass certificate.

Supreme Court issues notice

Meanwhile, two fresh petitions challenging the mandatory third-language requirement for Class IX students under the CBSE curriculum have been filed in the Supreme Court.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan took note of the submissions made by senior advocates Anand Grover and Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners.

The Bench issued notices to the Union Government, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and CBSE, directing them to file their responses within 10 days. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 29.