New Delhi: The Supreme Court agreed to examine a plea challenging a policy of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mandating the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students from July 1.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), seeking their replies within two weeks.

According to a recent CBSE circular, the study of three languages, including at least two Indian languages, has been made compulsory for students of Class 9 beginning July 1.

The move forms part of the board's effort to align its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.