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‘Can English be considered non-native?’ asks SC in challenge to CBSE’s three-language policy
India🏛️ PoliticsCenteryesterday

‘Can English be considered non-native?’ asks SC in challenge to CBSE’s three-language policy

The Supreme Court of India is examining whether English can be classified as a 'non-indigenous' language under the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) three-language policy. The policy mandates that students study three languages, with at least two being Indian. The court is considering arguments that English, despite its historical presence in India, is treated as a foreign language, potentially forcing students to abandon subjects they have studied for years. Petitioners argue that implementing the policy mid-academic career disrupts students' educational continuity, while the court suggests modifications to the policy's implementation rather than scrapping it entirely. The CBSE's policy outlines different provisions for various student groups based on their existing language choices.

The Supreme Court on Thursday raised questions about whether English can be considered a "non-indigenous" language under the Central Board of Secondary Education's three-language policy. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana indicated that it would need to conduct a constitutional review of the issue, taking into account India's historical context and the status of English as an official language in several states. This came during hearings on a batch of petitions challenging the CBSE's decision to require students to study three languages starting from the 2026–27 academic year. The policy mandates that at least two of the three languages must be Indian. Petitioners' counsel argued before the court that English should not be treated as a foreign language due to its long-standing presence in India. He emphasized that students were being compelled to abandon subjects they had already studied for years in favor of learning Indian languages from scratch. The lawyer also pointed out that the policy's abrupt implementation, midway through students' schooling, created unnecessary disruption. Chief Justice Kant posed rhetorical questions to the court, including whether teaching Indian languages served national integrity and whether it would benefit the country if a North Indian student learned South Indian languages. These queries reflected the judiciary's interest in balancing linguistic diversity with educational continuity. The judge noted that while the policy might not need to be scrapped entirely, adjustments in its implementation could help mitigate concerns. He directed the CBSE to reconsider its approach. Justice Bagchi proposed relaxing the rules for students in Class 6, suggesting that those already enrolled in this class should be exempted from the new requirements. He recommended introducing the revised system for the next cohort, allowing students to make more informed choices regarding their language studies. This suggestion aimed to ease the transition for existing students while ensuring future cohorts adhere to the policy. According to the CBSE's circular dated May 15, the three-language requirement applies to all students entering Class 9 from July 1. Students who had previously studied two Indian languages could opt for a foreign language or a third Indian language. For those with one Indian and one non-native language, they could select any Indian language as the third option. Students who had studied two foreign languages received a special one-time relaxation, enabling them to add an Indian language as the third subject. For the current batch of Class 9 students, there will be no board examinations for the third language. Instead, assessments will be conducted internally by schools. Class 7 and Class 8 students who have chosen two foreign languages can continue with them but must learn an additional Indian language until Class 10. Their third language will also be evaluated through internal school assessments. The three-language policy will be fully enforced for students currently in Class 6, who will not receive any transitional relief. This means they will face the full implications of the policy without any easing measures. The CBSE's directive outlines a clear framework for implementing the policy, though the Supreme Court's intervention suggests ongoing scrutiny over its fairness and practicality.

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Scroll.in logoScroll.inIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 802 days ago
‘Can English be considered non-native?’ asks SC in challenge to CBSE’s three-language policy

The Supreme Court of India is examining whether English can be classified as a 'non-indigenous' language under the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) three-language policy. The policy mandates that students study three languages, with at least two being Indian. The court is considering arguments that English, despite its historical presence in India, is treated as a foreign language, potentially forcing students to abandon subjects they have studied for years. Petitioners argue that implementing the policy mid-academic career disrupts students' educational continuity, while the court suggests modifications to the policy's implementation rather than scrapping it entirely. The CBSE's policy outlines different provisions for various student groups based on their existing language choices.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced discussion of the legal and educational implications of the CBSE's three-language policy, highlighting both the petitioners' concerns and the court's potential adjustments. While the issue of English's status as a 'non-indigenous' language carries political weight, no

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the Supreme Court's questioning of the classification of English as a non-indigenous language under the CBSE's 3-language policy. It cites the specific arguments presented by both the court and the petitioners' counsel, aligning with the primary source document. The ar

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the arguments from both sides of the legal debate in a balanced manner, quoting the justices and the petitioners' counsel. However, it slightly leans towards the petitioners' perspective by emphasizing their concerns about students abandoning previously studied subjects.

Scroll.in logoScroll.inIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 90yesterday
Grace marks for Class 12 CBSE students alleging evaluation glitches not possible, Centre tells SC

The Indian Union government informed the Supreme Court that it cannot grant grace marks to Class 12 CBSE students who claim they were unfairly affected by the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system's evaluation errors. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that a one-week period was provided for re-evaluation, during which 1.68 lakh students applied. He argued that requesting grace marks is not feasible. Advocate Laxmikant Matadan Shukla countered that the timeframe was insufficient, noting that many students failed to meet the minimum qualifying marks needed for entrance exams. The court ordered the government to submit an affidavit detailing remedial actions and requested the petitioner to provide examples of students unable to access the re-evaluation portal due to infrastructure issues.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the argument: the government's stance against granting grace marks and the legal representative's challenge to the re-evaluation timeline. There is no overt ideological slant toward either side, and the reporting remains balanced between the two perspectives. The '

Why factuality (75): The article discusses a different issue related to grace marks and evaluation glitches in the CBSE exams, not the Supreme Court questioning the classification of English as a non-indigenous language. While it accurately reports the legal proceedings involving the Supreme Court, it does not address t

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting facts from both the Union government and the petitioner's perspective without showing bias. It avoids emotional language and provides a balanced view of the arguments made by both sides.

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