In a clarification over third language (R3) assessment controversy, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said students need to clear school-based evaluation to get Class 10 pass certificate from 2027-28, however, there will be no board exam for students. Those who fail to clear the internal assessment will have to undergo a reassessment conducted by their schools to receive the secondary school exam pass certificate. The reassessment will be conducted before the final board results are declared. If the students fail to clear in the re-exam as well, they will still be promoted but must clear it while in Class 10 to receive the Secondary School Examination pass certificate.
“The third language (R3) will be assessed by the school through an internal school-based assessment only. The assessment criteria applicable to class IX (2026-27) & class X (2027-28), as given at point ‘B’ above, will also be applicable to these batches. There will be no CBSE Board examination for the third language when these batches progress to Class X,” CBSE circular stated.
The revised policy will apply to Class 9 from current academic session while for Class 10 from 2027-28.
In the latest set of guidelines, the board explains that the the same three-language combination from Class 8 will continue in Class 9. Students will have to select one among these three languages as R3.
The latest clarification comes against the backdrop of a CBSE circular dated 29th June in which the three-language formula was introduced from Class 6 onwards starting with the 2026-27 academic session. Under the revised system, students will study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages. Students currently in Classes 7, 8 and 9 who have already chosen an additional foreign language alongside English will be allowed to continue with that foreign language. However, they will also have to study a third language that is native to India.