Explainer: CBSE's three-language formula for Class 9; What does it mean, what changes?
New Delhi (PTI): Two months after beginning of the 2026-27 academic session, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has notified implementation of the three-language formula for Class 9 from July 1, 2026.
Here is an explainer of what the formula is:
1. What is three-language formula?
The three-language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends that students learn three languages, at least two of which must be native to India. This formula applies to both government and private schools, giving states the flexibility to choose languages without any imposition.
2. What is the history of three-language formula?
The formula was first proposed by the Education Commission (1964-66), officially known as the Kothari Commission. It was formally adopted in the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1968 under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The policy was reaffirmed in NPE 1986 under PM Rajiv Gandhi and revised in 1992 by Narasimha Rao’s Congress government to promote linguistic diversity and national unity.
The formula included three languages -- mother tongue or regional language, official language and a modern Indian or European language.
3. What does NEP 2020 say about the three-language formula?
The NEP proposes an “early implementation of the three-language formula to promote multilingualism" from the school level. The document states that the three-language formula will continue to be implemented "while keeping in mind the constitutional provisions, aspirations of the people, regions, and the Union, and the need to promote multilingualism as well as promote national unity”.
However, the NEP also states that there will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any state.
The policy states that the three languages learned by children will be the choices of states, regions, and of course, the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.
4. What about foreign languages?
According to NEP 2020, in addition to Indian languages and English, students at the secondary level can also learn Korean, Japanese, French, German and Spanish, among other foreign languages.
However, a key shift in the curriculum is the classification of English as a foreign language, with the Board allowing only one foreign language within the three-language framework. This could restrict students from choosing both English and another foreign language as their second and third languages.
5. Are books ready?
The board has said till the dedicated R3 textbooks are available, Class 9 students shall use the Class 6 R3 textbooks (2026-27 edition) of the chosen language.
The board has further said schools facing a shortage of adequately-qualified native Indian language teachers may, as an interim arrangement, engage existing teachers of other subjects who possess functional proficiency in the language concerned.
6. What is the controversy about three language formula?
The three-language formula has been at the centre of the political row between the former DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the Centre.
The state has historically opposed the three-language formula. In 1937, the then Madras government, headed by C Rajagopalachari, introduced compulsory Hindi in schools. This move sparked widespread protests by the Justice Party and Dravidian leaders like Periyar. The policy was revoked in 1940, but anti-Hindi sentiments persisted.
When the three-language formula was introduced in 1968, Tamil Nadu opposed it, seeing it as an attempt to impose Hindi. Under Chief Minister C N Annadurai, the state adopted a two-language policy, teaching only Tamil and English.
Tamil Nadu remains the only state that has never implemented the three-language formula, choosing English over Indian languages, including Hindi and other regional languages.
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Union Minister Vaishnaw flags off Bengaluru-Mumbai train, highlights infra growth
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday virtually flagged off a train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai.
The South Western Railway (SWR) said the new service marks a major step in strengthening connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.
According to a statement, the railway minister said that the long-pending demands of people from South and North Karnataka are now being fulfilled.
Vaishnaw announced that the Vande Bharat sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to start soon.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, Vaishnaw noted that railway funding has increased significantly in recent years, accelerating project execution across Karnataka.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 stations are being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 2,160 crore, of which nine have already been completed.
Bengaluru Cantonment station is being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 485 crore, while Yeshwantpur station is being upgraded at Rs 367 crore. Since 2014, around 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka.
He added that complex electrification work on the Hassan–Mangaluru section has been completed, and testing is underway.
On the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, he said work is progressing across all four corridors.
For the Baiyappanahalli–Chikkabanavara and Heelalige–Rajanukunte corridors, land acquisition has been completed, and station works are underway.
The KSR Bengaluru–Devanahalli alignment has been jointly approved by the state government and the railways, and the geotechnical survey has been completed. The Kengeri–Whitefield alignment was recently approved, and survey work is expected to commence shortly.
The minister said the suburban rail network will integrate key hubs, including the airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli and Hebbal.
He further stated that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains. Testing on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route is underway and is expected to improve coastal connectivity up to Madgaon.
Vaishnaw also said that bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have been approved. He added that, with a long-term vision to connect Mumbai, Bengaluru and other major cities, the high-speed rail network is expected to expand to 7,000 km.
Minister of State for Railways V Somanna, while addressing the gathering during the flagging off ceremony of Train No: 16553/54 SMVT Bengaluru–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, expressed gratitude to Vaishnaw for sanctioning the new Bengaluru–Mumbai train service, saying it would greatly benefit passengers on one of the busiest routes and further boost Karnataka’s development.
He said Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains covering 14 districts.
He added that a Vande Bharat Sleeper maintenance depot will be established at Thanisandra at a cost of Rs 270 crore, along with a chair car maintenance facility at SMVT Bengaluru costing Rs 52.73 crore.
Doubling works on the Baiyappanahalli–Hosur section (Rs 1,116 crore), Bettahalasuru–Rajanukunte section (Rs 248 crore), and quadrupling works around Bengaluru (Rs 1,347 crore) are being undertaken to enhance capacity.
Somanna said automatic signalling works are being implemented across key sections, including Yesvantpur, KSR Bengaluru, Lottegollahalli, Baiyappanahalli, Penukonda, Mysuru and Jolarpettai, at a total cost of Rs 6,396 crore.
Highlighting overall growth, he said Karnataka has received a record railway budget allocation of Rs 7,748 crore. Since 2014, around 3,840 km of railway lines have been developed and 3,742 km electrified, taking the state close to 100 per cent electrification.
He added that the number of Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) and Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) has increased from around 150 before 2014 to 707 now, with 146 more expected to be completed within the next year. He also said all level crossings are targeted for elimination within the next three years.
