CBSE clarifies third-language assessment for Classes 9, 10: ‘No Board examination for…’
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently released the R3 Language Assessment Framework. According to the board, the third language, referred to as R3, will be assessed only through internal school-based exams of Class 9 and 10, eliminating the need for the R3 CBSE board exam. The revised policy will apply to Class 9 students in the current academic session — 2026-27 — and to Class 10 in 2027-28. What happens if students don’t clear R3 in Class 9? Students who don’t clear the R3 internal exam in Class 9 will still be promoted to Class 10, but must clear it while in Class 10 to receive the Secondary School Examination pass certificate. In a circular dated July 10, the board clarified that students who fail to qualify for the Class 10 third-language internal assessment will be offered another opportunity. Their third-language reassessment will be conducted before the final board results are announced. Even though no board examination will be held, students must pass the internal assessment to pass Class 10. CBSE’s circular states, …

