CBSE's three-language policy in English-medium schools: A new challenge?

CBSE's announcement on implementing the new language policy 5 days ago has brought confusion and uncertainty. Voices are emerging from different corners of India. But how can a language policy trigger so much concern? R1, R2 and R3 may become the most discussed terms in schools over the coming months.

On May 15, 2026, CBSE introduced a major change through the implementation of a language policy supporting the three-language formula. Under this framework, the primary language or R1 would be the main language and could include Hindi, English, Urdu or Kannada. The second language, R2, can be selected from among the 43 languages offered by CBSE, while the third language may include a foreign language depending on availability.

Out of the three languages, at least two must be Indian languages. The third language will not be considered for board examinations and will instead be assessed internally.

"With effect from 1st July 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages. Students who wish to study a foreign language may do so as the third language only if the other two languages are native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language," says CBSE.

With these changes, English-medium schools have come into focus. While the medium of instruction in such schools remains English, questions are emerging around choice and implementation: if students have flexibility, can they opt out of studying English as a language subject and instead select two Indian languages?

To understand the implications, India Today Digital spoke to educationists and teachers and analysed CBSE’s policy framework.

Alongside these questions, another reality has surfaced, the resources available in schools across India. Concerns over staffing, curriculum preparedness and infrastructure cannot be ignored.

The larger question now extends beyond policy: Are schools prepared for this transition?

WHAT DOES THE THREE-LANGUAGE FORMULA MEAN?

In English-medium schools, the three-language formula has been implemented in a phased manner.

R1 (First Language) is the main language and could be English, Hindi, Kannada or Urdu, according to the official document shared by CBSE.

R2 (Second Language) comes as the additional language chosen by the student and can be selected from among the 43 languages offered by CBSE.

R3 (Third Language) is different from both R1 and R2. It is not part of the board examination, and assessment will be conducted internally.

In English-medium schools, the medium of instruction will continue to remain English. This means core subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Social Science will still be taught and assessed in English.

Students have questions that remain unanswered. One student framed their concern this way while speaking to India Today: If a student has taken Hindi as R1 and Marathi as R2, then they are left with the option of R3, where they can even select a foreign language as per availability. So, as per this, a student does not have to study English at all?

To get the answer for this, we spoke to an expert who holds three decades of experience.

He says: "Even if a student chooses Hindi as R1 and Marathi as R2, and selects another language for R3, English-medium schools are likely to continue teaching core subjects in English. So, English may remain the medium of instruction, even if it is not studied as a separate language subject. The debate centres on English as a subject versus English as the language of learning."

"As per the CBSE, a student can choose any languages (two native Indian languages and one international language). He or she can drop English if they do not wish to study it," said Alisha Saifi, an English teacher who has taught students in schools for many years.

Two of them should preferably be native Indian languages. English can remain one of the languages depending on combinations chosen by students and schools.

The first language is expected to be the strongest or mother tongue, while the second and third can vary.

The idea is not entirely new. Schools already followed versions of the three-language formula in lower classes. What changes now is the possibility of carrying it further into senior classes.

Supporters believe this could help students remain connected with Indian languages and improve communication across regions.

IS THERE A CRISIS FOR ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOLS?

In the English medium schools students learnt English as the main language of study and communication, while Hindi or another regional language formed the second language. The textbooks, classroom teaching, projects and assessments are conducted in English.

Now adding another language means changing timetables and redistributing teaching hours and the availability of a language teacher.

One educator with decades of experience told India Today "Schools have already planned curriculum schedules for existing classes and introducing a third language midway could become difficult."

This is the statement from most of the schools.

Students and parents, the major stakeholders, are not ready for the extra burden, they say.

The concern grows stronger in Classes 9 and above, where academic pressure increases.

Education experts say learning multiple languages can help cognitive growth, but they also warn against ignoring workload.

“There is a big cognitive load on children,” one expert observed, adding that schools will have to balance languages with the rest of the curriculum and student wellbeing.

Supporters of the policy say students could benefit by becoming multilingual, staying connected to cultural roots and understanding different parts of India better.

Critics ask whether schools have enough preparation.

Both sides agree on one point: language policies work only when schools can implement them.

The coming years may show whether the three-language formula becomes a bridge between English and Indian languages, or another pressure point in classrooms already carrying heavy expectations.

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