New Delhi. The Supreme Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide the same relaxation to Class 6 students regarding the three-language policy that Class 7 students are already getting. The bench of Chief Justice Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana has asked to implement the three-language policy from April 1, 2027. The Supreme Court has directed CBSE to file a counter affidavit within four weeks. Earlier, while hearing the petitions challenging the three-language policy, the Supreme Court had asked to consider the suggestion of implementing it from the new academic session 2027-28.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, told the court that the court's earlier suggestion that existing Class 6 students be exempted from the 3-language formula was discussed in detail. He said that except 1.2 per cent schools, all the others are following the new rules, textbooks and materials are available and students have opted for the scheme. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the students had no other option but to do so. He told that initially textbooks were not available. He also said that the ICSE board and state boards are not imposing such conditions on children in the midst of school education. He urged that this policy for Class 6 be postponed at least till 2027.
Senior advocate Anand Grover raised the issue of limited options in choosing the language and asked what options a student wishing to learn Punjabi had. Taking note of the ASG's point regarding relaxation given in board assessment for Classes 7-9, the bench directed that the same relaxation be extended to Class 6 also. CJI indicated, there will be no pass or fail in this. Students will be given only a certificate for appearing in the examination. In its order, the bench mentioned that facilities are yet to be provided in only 1.2 percent schools. However, the court ordered that Class 6 students should also be given exemption this year. The bench also directed CBSE to appoint an officer to contact the remaining schools and find out their problems.