The request was made before a three‑judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Justice Joymalya Bagchi also on the panel, after the court had earlier suggested that the policy should become mandatory for Class‑6 only from January 1, 2027, rather than imposing it on the current cohort with only four months left in the academic year.
Justice Bagchi told the law officer, “Take your time, but see that the Class 6 students get some relief. We did not make this suggestion on a point of legality, but after considering the comfort and convenience of Class 6 students,” underscoring the court’s focus on the students’ practical concerns rather than a strict legal interpretation.
Chief Justice Kant further directed the government to submit details on the availability of qualified teachers and the necessary infrastructure in schools to support the three‑language scheme, signalling that any eventual rollout must be backed by adequate resources.
The bench postponed the matter to a further hearing scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026, giving the government a window to prepare a comprehensive response and, if needed, propose incentives to encourage children to take up a third language.
The government’s original filing had advocated for the scheme to start this year for Class 6, while the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) guidelines already exempted students in Classes 7 to 9. Under the plan, a mandatory third‑language exam would be required in the Class 10 board examinations by 2031.