Supreme Court Declines Interim Stay On CBSE’s Three-Language Policy, Questions Status Of English As An Indigenous Language
Supreme Court Declines Interim Stay On CBSE’s Three-Language Policy, Questions Status Of English As An Indigenous Language
New Delhi, July 15, 2026: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to grant an interim stay on the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to implement the three-language policy for Class 6 students from the current academic session, while observing that the issue requires a detailed hearing.
During the proceedings, the court also remarked that the question of whether English should be regarded as an indigenous language deserves reconsideration in the context of India’s language policy.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the implementation of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP).
Refusing to suspend the policy at this stage, the bench said an interim order could not be passed without hearing all parties in detail. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 22, and the Centre and CBSE have been directed to file their responses.
The court observed that, prima facie, the policy appears to further the constitutional objective of promoting Hindi and other regional languages. It also noted that the concept of indigenous languages, including whether English falls within that category, may require fresh examination.
During the hearing, petitioners argued that implementing the policy would create significant logistical challenges for schools. They submitted that institutions may struggle to recruit qualified teachers for all 22 scheduled languages and provide the necessary infrastructure.
The petitioners further pointed out that although the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) had announced that study material for all scheduled languages would be made available by July 1, textbooks have reportedly been released for only a limited number of languages.
They also noted that the legal challenge comes after CBSE withdrew an earlier circular that had proposed making the three-language formula mandatory for Class 9 students from the current academic year.
Representing the Centre and CBSE, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that detailed replies would be filed within ten days.
Defending the policy, the Centre stated that the National Education Policy seeks to build an education system rooted in Indian values while promoting multilingualism, inclusivity and national integration. It maintained that the three-language formula provides flexibility to states and students and does not impose any particular language on any region.
