Campus Times | Lucknow

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major change in its assessment system under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Beginning with the 2027–28 academic session, Class 10 students will have to pass a school based internal assessment in the third language (R3) to become eligible for the Secondary School Certificate.

The board has clarified that students who fail to meet the minimum qualifying standard in the third language assessment will not receive their Class 10 pass certificate, even if they successfully clear all other subjects.

Internal assessment to begin from Class 9

The revised framework will come into effect for students entering Class 9 in the 2026–27 academic session. Instead of a separate board examination, schools will conduct and evaluate the third language through an internal assessment process.

CBSE has stated that this approach is aimed at integrating language learning into regular school evaluation rather than relying on an external board examination.

Promotion to class 10 will continue

Under the new policy, students who do not qualify in the third language assessment during Class 9 will still be promoted to Class 10. However, clearing the assessment before the declaration of the Class 10 result will be mandatory for obtaining the Secondary School Certificate.

Students who fail the Class 10 internal assessment in the third language will be given another opportunity to qualify before the final result is issued.

Third language options explained

CBSE has also outlined how students can choose their third language under the revised framework:

• Students already studying two Indian languages can choose another Indian language or a foreign language, such as English or French, as their third language.

• Students studying one Indian language and one foreign language must select an Indian language as their third language.

• Students studying two foreign languages will receive a one-time relaxation for the 2026–27 batch. They may continue with both foreign languages but will be required to add one Indian language as the third language.