Tripura Introduces CBSE Three-Language Policy Only for Vidyajyoti Schools, Raising Questions Over Statewide Implementation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 4, 2026

The Tripura School Education Department has issued a notification directing all 125 CBSE-affiliated Government Vidyajyoti Schools in the state to implement the CBSE Three-Language Policy from the 2026-27 academic session for students from Class VI onwards.

The memorandum, issued on August 3 by the Directorate of Secondary Education, instructs principals and heads of Vidyajyoti Schools to replace the existing two-language system with a three-language framework in accordance with the CBSE's revised language policy. Students will be required to study three languages (R1, R2 and R3), with the third language (R3) to be selected from Hindi, Sanskrit, Kokborok, Bengali or Mizo. The order also states that at least two of the three languages must be Indian languages.

However, the notification has sparked discussion within education circles for two major reasons.

The first concern relates to teacher availability. Many Vidyajyoti Schools are reportedly already facing shortages of qualified language teachers. Education observers point out that the introduction of an additional language subject will require adequate numbers of trained teachers in languages such as Kokborok, Mizo, Sanskrit and Hindi. Without sufficient recruitment or alternative teaching arrangements, schools may face significant challenges in implementing the new curriculum effectively. The CBSE guidelines themselves advise schools to address staffing through measures such as engaging existing teachers with functional proficiency, retired teachers, inter-school sharing and virtual or hybrid teaching where necessary.

The second issue concerns the scope of the state government's notification. While the CBSE Three-Language Policy is applicable to all CBSE-affiliated schools across the country, the Tripura Education Department's latest memorandum specifically covers only the state's Government Vidyajyoti Schools. No corresponding state notification has yet been issued for other CBSE-affiliated government or private schools in Tripura.

Educationists say this has created uncertainty over whether separate directions will be issued for the remaining CBSE-affiliated institutions or whether those schools are expected to implement the CBSE guidelines independently.

According to the memorandum, SCERT, Tripura, in collaboration with the Kokborok and Other Minority Language Cell, will provide R3 language textbooks based on requisitions received from the schools after they finalize students' language choices.

The notification has been marked "Most Urgent", directing all Vidyajyoti Schools to complete the selection of the third language and take necessary steps for implementation from the current academic session.

Another significant issue concerns the implementation timeline. According to the original CBSE notification, all affiliated schools are required to implement the revised three-language policy from the current academic session. However, the Education Department's memorandum appears to direct Vidyajyoti Schools to adopt the new language framework only from the next academic year. This creates a clear deviation from the CBSE's original notification and raises questions about the state's compliance with the national board's prescribed implementation schedule. The discrepancy has also led to uncertainty among school authorities, teachers, parents, and students regarding when the revised language policy will actually come into effect in Tripura's Vidyajyoti Schools.

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