Former Tamil Nadu BJP President, K. Annamalai, has requested the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to rethink its decision on making a third language mandatory for Class IX students starting this academic year. Annamalai expressed concerns about the sudden imposition of this requirement, citing potential stress on students and parents.
Annamalai highlighted a recent circular by CBSE that deviated from its earlier announcement on the three-language policy, causing worry among parents, especially in Tamil Nadu where language issues hold significant political and social importance. He recalled his support for CBSE’s initial notification in April 2026, which introduced a three-language framework for students from Class VI onwards.
The policy mandated students to learn three languages, with at least two being Indian languages, to expose them to the country’s diverse literary and cultural heritage. However, Annamalai noted that while the April notification specified the implementation for Class IX students from the 2029–30 academic year, a subsequent circular on May 15, 2026, made the third language compulsory for the current academic year.
Expressing concern over the abrupt change, Annamalai pointed out that students had already selected their preferred languages upon entering Class VI, making the new requirement challenging for them. He cautioned that this sudden shift could add unnecessary academic pressure and potentially impact students’ overall performance negatively. Annamalai urged CBSE to reconsider and withdraw the revised notification.
