CISCE third language policy
CISCE told students and schools on April 30, 2026 that foreign languages can continue as the third-language option while all ICSE and ISC schools remain English-medium. The statement confirms the board's position on language choices as it aligns with the National Education Policy.
Joseph Emmanuel, chief executive and secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, said the board follows the NEP "in toto" and will not enforce uniform state rules on language or admission age. That means states and individual schools keep the freedom to set second- and third-language offerings and admission norms.
How the CISCE third language policy works
CISCE schools must be English-medium, but English is not treated as a foreign language under the board's rules. The board says the three-language formula is already followed up to Class 8. From Class 9, schools typically teach two languages. At senior secondary (ISC), one language is compulsory and the rest are elective.
Exam language availability under CISCE is broad: the ICSE examinations were conducted in 20 Indian languages, 14 foreign languages and 1 classical language . The ISC examinations ran in 13 Indian languages, 2 foreign languages and 2 classical languages this year.
There are 2,957 ICSE and 1,553 ISC schools affiliated to CISCE. This year 2.58 lakh candidates sat the ICSE exam and 1.03 lakh wrote the ISC exam.
Why the CISCE third language policy matters for students
The board's stance keeps foreign-language pathways open in private and CISCE-affiliated schools, preserving options many students already use under the three-language framework. It also contrasts with recent changes in other school systems that have limited foreign-language choices at the third-language slot.
CISCE confirmed that schooling restructuring under the NEP follows the 5+3+3+4 framework — foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary stages. While the board defines an admission age, individual states have their own rules, and CISCE allows schools to follow those state norms.
Joseph Emmanuel noted the number of CISCE-affiliated schools is growing, underlining continued demand for the board's mix of English-medium instruction and flexible language offerings. For students, the immediate effects are straightforward: language options remain broad in CISCE schools, and state policies will determine specific availability at the local level.
Reported by Shradha Chettri on April 30, 2026.