Introduction:
We, the undersigned teachers, students, parents, and concerned citizens, wish to draw attention to the impact of the revised CBSE Secondary School Curriculum 2026–27 on foreign language education in India.

 
The Issue:
The new language structure (R1, R2, R3) emphasizes that students must study two languages native to India. While this is an important step towards promoting Indian languages, the current implementation is resulting in the practical reduction of space for foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, and others in many schools.

 
Why This Matters:
Thousands of foreign language teachers across India may face job insecurity, reduced opportunities, or loss of livelihood
Students may lose flexibility and meaningful choice in language learning
Students may lose access to global languages and international career pathways
It may affect cultural exchange and India’s global engagement
Foreign languages play a crucial role in higher education, diplomacy, tourism, and international business
 
Our Concern:
We fully support the promotion of Indian languages and multilingual education. However, we believe that a balanced approach is necessary—one that ensures both Indian and foreign languages can coexist meaningfully within the education system.

We are concerned that, despite there being no direct ban on foreign languages, the current implementation framework is leading to their practical exclusion in several schools.

 
Our Demands:
We respectfully request CBSE and the Ministry of Education to:

Ensure that foreign languages continue to have a meaningful place in the curriculum
Provide flexibility and meaningful choice for students to study foreign languages within the language framework
Provide clear clarification regarding the implementation of the language framework and the status of English within it
Safeguard the jobs, careers, and livelihoods of foreign language teachers and their families
Promote multilingual education that includes both Indian and global languages
Ensure that implementation is balanced, practical, and does not unintentionally reduce existing language options for students
 
Conclusion:
This issue is not just about a subject—it is about students’ educational choices, global opportunities, and the careers and livelihoods of educators across India.

We urge the concerned authorities to adopt a balanced, inclusive, and practical approach that protects multilingualism, student choice, and meaningful access to both Indian and foreign languages.