Congress's Digvijay Singh Demands PM Modi Roll Back CBSE's Three-Language Policy Immediately

Congress MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Digvijay Singh, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to implement mandatory third-language instruction for Class IX students from July 1. In a letter dated June 5, Singh warned that the policy’s rollout during the ongoing academic session could lead to widespread disruption for students, schools and teachers.

The appeal comes after a group of concerned parents submitted a signed representation to Singh’s committee, expressing strong reservations about the implementation timeline. The parents described the move as abrupt and impractical, arguing that schools have not been given sufficient time or resources to adapt. They requested a complete rollback of the mandatory policy for students currently enrolled in Class IX.

Forwarding the representation to the Prime Minister, Singh compared the situation to the controversy surrounding CBSE’s on-screen marking (OSM) system, which had faced criticism for causing difficulties for a large number of students during its implementation. He cautioned that introducing a significant curriculum change without adequate preparation could create similar challenges across the country.

Also Read: PM Modi Chairs Economic Advisory Council Meeting To Assess Iran War Impact

In his letter, Singh emphasized that many schools continue to face shortages of trained language teachers, appropriate learning materials and sufficient transition time. He argued that enforcing the policy mid-session could place an additional burden on students and educational institutions, potentially affecting academic performance and classroom management.

The controversy has also drawn attention to CBSE’s earlier position on the matter. According to records from the board’s governing body meeting held in December 2025, a curriculum committee had recommended that schools continue with the existing language scheme until graded language textbooks were released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The committee noted that several regional-language textbooks envisioned under the National Curriculum Framework 2023 were not yet available.

The debate highlights the broader challenges of implementing education reforms on a national scale. While the three-language policy is intended to align with the objectives of the National Education Policy and promote multilingual learning, critics argue that successful implementation requires adequate infrastructure, teaching resources and careful planning. As concerns continue to mount, stakeholders are awaiting the Centre’s response to the demand for a review of the policy’s rollout.

Also Read: PM Modi Says Ayushman Bharat And Jan Aushadhi Saved Citizens ₹2.25 Lakh Crore