Congress Leader Urges PM to Delay CBSE’s Three-Language Policy
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising serious concerns over the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to implement its three-language policy midway through the current academic session. Singh, who also chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, has formally requested that the rollout be postponed, warning that forcing the policy into effect without adequate preparation could trigger significant disruption across schools.
Concerns Over Mid-Session Implementation
In his letter, Singh pointed out that the sudden enforcement of the three-language formula for Class 9 students—effective from July 1, 2026—lacks the necessary groundwork. He argued that schools have not been provided with sufficient teachers, updated textbooks, or enough transition time to absorb such a major policy shift. Drawing a parallel with an earlier controversy, he noted that the hasty introduction of CBSE’s on-screen marking (OSM) system had previously caused widespread confusion and distress among students nationwide.
Singh also shared representations he had received from worried parents of Class 9 students, who are opposing the mandatory implementation of the policy in the middle of the ongoing session. “After going through their grievances, I believe their concerns are genuine and require immediate attention,” he wrote. “If adequate teachers, books, and preparation time are not arranged, enforcing this policy mid-session could lead to serious complications and chaos similar to what we witnessed during the rushed OSM rollout.”
Contradiction with Earlier CBSE Decision
The Congress leader highlighted a key inconsistency in CBSE’s approach. He noted that during a board meeting held in December 2025, it was agreed that schools would continue following the existing language framework until the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) released new language textbooks. Despite this understanding, CBSE issued a directive on May 15, 2026, making the third language compulsory for Class 9 from July 1, 2026—even though NCERT has yet to publish the required books.
In the absence of new materials, schools have been advised to use Class 6 textbooks as a stopgap arrangement. Singh argued that this would create confusion and disrupt students’ learning plans, placing an unnecessary burden on both educators and learners.
Regional and Linguistic Challenges
Singh further elaborated on the difficulties the policy could create for students in southern and northeastern states, where Hindi is not commonly spoken. He stressed that imposing a language unfamiliar to these regions without proper infrastructure could place students at a distinct disadvantage.
Additionally, he pointed out that many regional and tribal languages are not included in CBSE’s list of recognized languages, leaving students with limited or unsuitable options when choosing their third language. This, he said, undermines the very objective of promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in education.
Sanskrit Teachers and Resources in Short Supply
Another major concern raised by Singh pertains to Sanskrit. While the language remains a popular choice as a third language in many schools, there is a notable shortage of qualified Sanskrit teachers and appropriate instructional materials. The Congress leader warned that without addressing these resource gaps, the goal of promoting Sanskrit would remain unfulfilled, and the quality of instruction would suffer.
Call for Immediate Stay on Implementation
Singh has urged the Prime Minister to halt the implementation of the three-language policy for the current Class 9 cohort without delay. He noted that the matter is currently under judicial review, with a court decision expected on July 15, 2026. Since schools are scheduled to begin third-language instruction on July 1, 2026, Singh argued that proceeding with the rollout before the court delivers its verdict would be premature and unwise.
Appeal for Thoughtful and Timely Action
In his appeal, Singh called on PM Modi to consider the issue with urgency and sensitivity, emphasizing that the academic future of millions of students depends on well-considered policy decisions. He reiterated that a rushed or poorly planned implementation could have long-lasting consequences for students’ learning trajectories.
The Congress leader also reminded the Prime Minister of his earlier letter concerning the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak incident. He had previously demanded the release of a white paper on the irregularities observed in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Singh stressed that maintaining public confidence in the examination system is essential, particularly after the NEET-UG 2026 exam held on May 3 was cancelled amid allegations of a question paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the matter, and a re-examination has been scheduled for June 21.
Singh’s latest communication underscores a broader demand for transparency, preparedness, and student-centric decision-making in India’s education policy framework.
