'Give Some Breathing Space': SC Urges Union Govt to Implement Three-Language Policy From January 2027
New Delhi: Noting the fact that the current batch of class 6 students have hardly four months left for the year to end, the Supreme Court on Thursday (September 17) urged the Union government to make the three-language policy mandatory from January 1, 2027 instead of the present year, reported The Hindu.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said that the court’s suggestion to delay the policy implementation in Class 6 was made on the basis of logistics and balance of convenience.
“We are not standing in the way. We are only saying that instead of springing a surprise on this batch of students, start from the first of January… We are not on a point of law, but on a point of comfort. You can start with children who come into January 1, 2027. It is only four months more,” said Justice Bagchi.
Appearing for the Union government, additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, agreed to take the top court’s suggestion to the government for reconsideration of its position on the issue.
Earlier, ASG Bhati submitted that the policy should start with Class 6 this year itself.
“We have already given relaxation to Classes 7, 8, 9 and 10. The present Class 6 would face the Board exam only after four years,” she said.
But the bench didn’t change its stance.
“Class 7 will face the board exam only after three years, so? Just because you have stated that Class 6 should be included, it should be included? Give some breathing space,” said Justice Bagchi.
CJI Kant said the government could use the time to come up with incentives for the children to embrace the study of a third language in school.
The court also suggested that the Union government could make the third language optional for the current Class 6 batch, but implement on a mandatory basis only from January 1, 2027.
The CBSE’s curriculum released in April indicated that its three-language formula – requiring students to learn three languages including two native to India – would be implemented progressively starting with class 6 students this year.
Concerns have also been raised that the policy would lead to the ‘imposition’ of Hindi in southern India.
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