New Delhi | Updated: July 16, 2026
The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over introducing a third language for students from Class 9 under the National Education Policy, observing that it could increase pressure on students as they begin preparing for board examinations.
The court said Class 9 is already a stressful stage for students, as preparation for Class 10 board examinations begins around that time.
Justice B V Nagarathna made the observation while hearing a plea linked to the setting up of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Tamil Nadu.
The remarks came in the backdrop of the Central Board of Secondary Education making the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class 9.
CBSE has also clarified that there will be no board examination for the third language in Class 10.
Justice Nagarathna questioned why a new language should be introduced in Class 9 and suggested that it should instead begin from Class 6.
She observed that from the end of Class 8, academic pressure starts building for board examinations.
The court told the union government not to introduce the third language in Class 9, saying Class 10 board examinations under CBSE, ICSE, and state boards already put students under pressure.
The case arose from the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal against a Madras High Court order directing the establishment of a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in every district of the state.
The High Court had held that refusal to allow JNVs deprived students of the freedom to choose where they wanted to study.
It had also said such refusal was not in line with the objectives of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.
The High Court had directed the state to arrange temporary facilities for 240 students in each district until permanent schools were set up.
However, in December 2017, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s directions after the Tamil Nadu government challenged the verdict.
During a hearing on December 15, 2025, the Supreme Court asked the center and the Tamil Nadu government to hold discussions on the possibility of establishing JNVs in the state.
The court had directed both sides to identify suitable land for schools in every district and submit the outcome of their consultations.
The Bench had described the exercise as an effort to encourage cooperative discussions between the Union and the state rather than impose an immediate decision.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had also asked the center and the Tamil Nadu government not to turn the matter into a language issue.
The observation came after senior counsel P. Wilson, appearing for the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, argued that the center should accept the state’s two-language formula instead of the three-language formula under NEP 2020.
As the center’s counsel began responding, the bench urged both sides to avoid converting the issue into a language dispute.
The matter remains under consideration before the Supreme Court.
