The Delhi government has withdrawn a provision in its revised Class 9 examination and promotion policy that could have prevented students from appearing for the Class 10 board examinations if they failed to qualify in the third language, or R3, studied in Class 9.The decision follows confusion over how the earlier provision was to be implemented. A corrigendum issued by the Directorate of Education has now clarified that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) guidelines on the third language will prevail.
Students will not be barred from Class 10 boards over R3
Under the earlier Delhi government provision, a Class 9 student who did not qualify in R3 could still be promoted to Class 10 if the student fulfilled the other promotion requirements. However, the student was required to clear the third language during Class 10 to become eligible to appear for the board examination.This condition has now been withdrawn.The change brings the Delhi policy in line with the CBSE framework. Under the CBSE’s current guidelines, the third language is assessed through school-based internal evaluation and does not require a separate Class 10 board examination.Although R3 marks will be included in the final CBSE certificate, the marks will not determine whether a student is allowed to sit for the Class 10 board examination.
CBSE’s three-language policy comes into effect
The development comes after the CBSE introduced its three-language framework in May in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.The policy requires students in Classes 9 and 10 to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages. The framework came into effect from July 1.The Delhi Education Department had subsequently revised its Class 9 examination and promotion structure to accommodate the new requirements. The third language was made compulsory and was to be assessed at the school level.The withdrawal of the R3 eligibility condition means students will not face an additional hurdle in appearing for the Class 10 board examinations solely because of their performance in the third language.
New Class 9 assessment structure introduced
The revised Delhi system has brought several other changes to Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session.The six main subjects under the new structure are Language 1, Language 2, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Vocational Education, also referred to as Kaushal Vikas. These subjects will form the core basis for academic progression and promotion to Class 10.Vocational education has been made compulsory for Class 9 students, marking a shift towards including skill-based learning more prominently in the school curriculum.Students will also have Individuals in Society, Art Education, and Physical Education and Well-Being as compulsory curricular areas. These components will be assessed at the school level.
Mathematics exam pattern also changed
The Directorate of Education has also discontinued the Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard examination structure for Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session.However, the existing arrangement will continue for Class 10 students during the 2026-27 session. This means the change in the Mathematics examination structure will apply to the new Class 9 cohort rather than immediately altering the Class 10 system.The revised framework is therefore being introduced gradually, allowing different arrangements to operate for Classes 9 and 10 during the transition year.
AI and computational thinking to become compulsory
The revised curriculum also places greater emphasis on emerging technology and digital skills.Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence will be introduced as structured modules during the 2026-27 academic session. The subjects are scheduled to become compulsory from 2027-28.The move reflects the broader shift towards integrating technology, vocational education and skill-based learning into school education.For students and parents, however, the immediate clarification on R3 is likely to be the most significant change. With the earlier eligibility condition withdrawn, failure to qualify in the third language will not by itself prevent a Class 9 student from appearing for the Class 10 board examination under the CBSE framework.
