Burden on students: Annamalai demands rollback of CBSE's three-language policy

Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai on Tuesday criticised the recent Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) notification making a third language compulsory for Class 9 students in schools affiliated with the board, saying the move would place an undue academic burden on students. He urged the Union Education Ministry to withdraw the notification, which has come under criticism in Tamil Nadu for alleged Hindi imposition.

The circular, issued by the CBSE on May 15, announced a major shift in its language policy for Classes 9 and 10. According to the notification, from July 1, 2026, Class 9 students in the 2026-27 academic session will have to study three languages as part of their curriculum in all CBSE-affiliated schools. However, there will be no Class 10 board exam for the third language.

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