CBSE ‘Foreign’ Tag on English Sparks Debate over Language Policy and Constitution
Basant Kumar Mohanty | 16 July 2026 | The Telegraph Online
A CBSE directive categorising English as a foreign language has sparked a debate over whether an associate official language recognised by the Constitution can be treated as a non-native language.
The CBSE has mandated the study of two Indian languages and one foreign language such as English, French, German, Spanish or Arabic for students enrolled in Class VI in the 2026-27 academic session.
Until last year, schools allowed students to pursue their mother tongue, English and a foreign language or any Indian language as a third language.
The latest CBSE directive is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), but this is probably the first time the board has classified English as a foreign language.