Amid the raging controversy over the CBSE’s three-language policy that requires Class IX students to study three languages, including two native Indian languages, from the 2026-27 academic year, the Supreme Court on Thursday suggested that it should instead be introduced in Class V or VI.While hearing the Tamil Nadu Government’s petition challenging a Madras High Court judgment that had directed it to set up Navodaya Vidyalayas in every district, a Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said introducing a third language in Class IX could be stressful for students, and that it would be better if it was introduced at the middle school level.“That is very bad… stressful. Why do you introduce a third language in Class IX? Introduce it in Class VI… As it is, the pressure starts from the end of Class VIII,” Justice Nagarathna said. “The state language has to be taught, English has to be taught and any third language… it doesn’t say Hindi,” she said. CBSE students typically study two languages—English and Hindi—or a regional language up to Class X. However, a May 15 circular requires students beginning Class IX to study an additional language, increasing the number of languages studied at the secondary level.On Tuesday, a Bench led by CJI Surya Kant refused to stay the CBSE’s three-language policy being implemented from the 2026-27 academic year commencing on July 1 even as it issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT on PILs challenging the policy.The top court on Thursday questioned the state government’s opposition to Navodaya schools. “You must have Navodaya schools… The Central Government will bear all the expenditure. You have to make available only the land. In all other states, Navodaya schools are there. Why are you depriving Tamil Nadu? Don’t have this attitude?” Justice Nagarathna told the Tamil Nadu Government counsel, who said, “Talks are going on at the moment… We don’t want to say anything at this point.”