MUSCAT : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement a revised three-language framework for Class 9 students beginning from the 2026–27 academic year under new CBSE language policy reforms aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, Indian schools in Oman can avail exemptions from the CBSE three-language policy owing to the unique demographic and operational nature of Gulf-based institutions.

Under the updated structure, effective July 1, 2026, students entering Class 9 will be required to study three languages — referred to as R1, R2 and R3 — with at least two being native Indian languages.

The policy applies to CBSE-affiliated schools in Oman and other overseas institutions, although the board has clarified that certain exemptions and relaxations will be available for schools outside India, Children with Special Needs (CwSN), and foreign-return students on a case-by-case basis.

According to the CBSE circular, students wishing to study a foreign language may do so only if the other two selected languages are native Indian languages, or alternatively as an optional fourth language.

The board said the revised framework is intended to strengthen multilingual education, improve language competency, and support the objectives of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.

To reduce academic pressure, CBSE confirmed that no external Class 10 Board examination will be conducted for the third language (R3). Instead, assessment will remain fully internal and school-based, though student performance in the subject will still appear on official certificates.

The board also clarified that no student would be prevented from appearing for Class 10 board examinations due to performance in R3.

As part of the transition, CBSE has instructed schools to temporarily use Class 6 R3 textbooks for Class 9 students until dedicated secondary-stage textbooks become available. Schools will also be required to supplement lessons with locally selected literary materials, including poems, short stories and nonfiction texts.

The circular noted that schools facing shortages of qualified language teachers may adopt temporary arrangements such as shared faculty through Sahodaya clusters, hybrid teaching support, retired educators, and postgraduate language specialists.

CBSE has asked schools to update their third-language offerings for Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal by June 30, 2026.

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