NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled a comprehensive curriculum overhaul for the 2026-27 academic session, with a phased implementation of the three-language formula from Class 6 and a dual-level system for mathematics and science in Class 9. These reforms aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) and National Curriculum Framework (NCF) aim to strengthen multilingual learning, conceptual clarity and future-ready skills among students.Under the new National Education Policy (NEP), the compulsory three-language formula will be implemented for Class 6 from 2026, while a two-tier system of compulsory standard and optional advanced courses in Mathematics and Science will be introduced for Class 9.“Languages are organized at all stages through a structured framework of three languages: R1, R2 and R3. As per the recommendations of the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), two of these three languages must be indigenous. In continuation of the board’s phased implementation of multilingual education, a third language will be made compulsory with effect from class 2-6 sessions. To ensure that every learner studies at least two Indian languages,” the board said. A senior official said.“Although it is necessary to adopt the same scheme of languages, in exceptional circumstances for students returning from foreign schools where a third language studied up to the 8th or 9th standard is not available in the home schools, such students may be exempted according to approved norms.According to the authorities, third language or R3 is not being made compulsory for class 9 students yet.“R3 level textbooks will be introduced this year in Class 6. They will write their board exams in 2031 and that’s when the entire scheme will change, and the three-language formula will be fully implemented,” the official added.Mathematics and science will see a major structural change with the introduction of the two-tier system starting in the 2026-27 academic session.“All students will study the standard syllabus and sit a three-hour, 80-mark combined exam; those opting for advanced proficiency may choose an additional ‘advanced’ level in one or both subjects. This advanced component will consist of a separate 25-mark, one-hour paper designed to test higher-order thinking skills and deep conceptual understanding.“Students must take the standard exam, while the advanced paper remains optional. Importantly, the performance in the advance paper will not be aggregated. Instead, advanced qualification of students scoring 50 per cent or more will be shown separately in their mark sheet,” the official said.The two-tier system (standard and advanced) in mathematics and science will begin in the 2026-27 academic session for Class 9 students, and the first board exams for Class 10 students with this structure will be held in 2028 for this class.Computational thinking and artificial intelligence will also be introduced as compulsory subjects for classes 9 and 10. They will be introduced as modules in the current academic session along with internal assessments, and will become a compulsory subject in the board exams for class 10 in 2029.Along with the new curriculum, the board is making art education, vocational education and physical education compulsory in class 9 and 10. Textbooks for art education and physical education will be introduced.“In the current academic session, Class 10 students will have school-based assessment for Art and Physical Education. In the 2027-28 academic session, they will have Vocational Education as a compulsory subject with annual or board exams, while Art and Physical Education will continue to be assessed through school-based internal exams,” he said.
