The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed its affiliated schools to implement the 'Three-Language Formula' starting from the current academic session, under which students from Class 6 onwards will be required to study three languages. Additionally, the CBSE has issued a circular regarding the application of the Three-Language Formula for students in Classes 9 and 10, effective from the current academic session. Under the new directives, Class 9 students will be required to study only two languages (specifically, those included in the R1 and R2 lists). Furthermore, the CBSE has released the official lists of languages included in the R1 and R2 categories. The CBSE has also clarified that the full implementation of the Three-Language Formula for Class 9 will not take effect until the academic session 2029-30. However, up until the 2028-29 session, Class 9 students may opt to select a third language from the R2 list.

Let us delve into the details of this entire matter. We will explore which languages are included in the CBSE's R1 and R2 lists, and examine the specific changes that have been introduced to the curriculum.

**English Syllabus Revised: 'Kaveri' to be Taught Now**
The CBSE has introduced significant changes to the English curriculum this time around. The 'English Communicative' course, which had been in use until now, has been completely discontinued for Class 9. Consequently, students will now be required to study only a single English course, for which the NCERT's new textbook, 'Kaveri,' has been made mandatory.

**Class 9 Students Must Select Languages from R1 and R2 Lists**
Class 9 students under the CBSE curriculum will be required to study two languages. The CBSE has clarified that students in Class 9 must select their two languages from the lists categorized under R1 and R2. Furthermore, the CBSE has stipulated that the specific languages chosen by students in Class 6 during the 2026-27 academic session will be the very same languages they will be required to continue studying in Classes 9 and 10. Consequently, these students will also be required to appear for their Class 10 Board examinations in those specific languages.

 English Alongside Hindi in R1; 43 Languages in R2
Through new directives, the CBSE has sought to resolve the confusion surrounding language selection under the 'Three-Language Formula' by clarifying exactly which languages fall under the R1 and R2 categories. Under this framework, the R1 category includes English, Urdu, or Kannada, alongside Hindi. The R1 category is designated as the 'Main Language' category, from which students are required to select one language. Conversely, the R2 category encompasses 43 regional languages. Students may choose any one of the other 43 languages offered by the Board to serve as their second language (R2). Students are not permitted to select the same language for both the R1 and R2 categories; for instance, if a student has opted for Hindi in R1, they must select a different language for R2.

Assessment to Continue Under the Old Pattern
These changes do not apply to students who will be in Class 10 during the 2026-27 academic session. The CBSE has clarified that students currently in Class 10 will continue to study the same languages they had opted for in Class 9 (during the 2025-26 session). Furthermore, their assessment scheme will also continue to follow the previous pattern.

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