The Karnataka Associated Board of Primary and Secondary Schools (KAMS) has opposed the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) compulsory three-language policy, saying it conflicts with the state’s existing language law.In a legal representation submitted to the CBSE chairman, the association urged the Board to keep the circular on hold for the next academic year until there is clarity on how it will be implemented in Karnataka. He also sought an immediate clarification from the CBSE.KAMS said that the Karnataka Language Learning Act, 2015 already makes Kannada compulsory as the first or second language in all schools, including those affiliated to the CBSE. According to the association, the new CBSE circular has created legal uncertainty, especially for schools where Kannada is already taught as a first or second language.D Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the association, said: “Technically, it is impossible to implement Kannada as a third language in CBSE schools. Also, CBSE should clarify whether it is a foreign language or a regional language. In our opinion, English should be considered as a regional language, since it is widely used in all ways of life ranging from the judiciary to the legislature.”KAMS has given the CBSE 15 days to respond. He said he will approach the High Court if the Council does not provide the requested clarification within the stipulated time.Meanwhile, CBSE on Monday released detailed guidelines explaining how the third language policy will be implemented for students in various classes under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, announcing some exemptions.For students studying in Class IX during the 2026-27 academic session, the third language (R3) will be assessed only through an internal school-based assessment. There will be no CBSE Board exam for the third language when these students reach Class X in 2027-28. CBSE and NCERT will also provide grade-appropriate learning resources to help students study the language.As a relaxation, students in the current Class VII and Class VIII who have already chosen and started studying two non-native languages ​​will only have to add a Bhartiya Bhasha and continue studying up to Class X. Like the current Class IX batch, the third language will be assessed through a school-based internal assessment, and there will be no CBSE Board exam for it.
