If your child studies at a CBSE school in Delhi, the question “Which foreign language should we choose?” has become far more complicated in 2026. CBSE’s new three-language rule changed how French, German, and Spanish fit into the timetable; several Delhi schools have already trimmed their language lists, and Chinese was never a board-exam subject to begin with.
This guide explains what the rules say today, which languages CBSE actually examines, and how to choose between Spanish, German, French and Chinese for your child’s goals.
Key takeaways
- From the 2026-27 session, CBSE students study three languages (R1, R2, R3), and at least two must be Indian languages.
- A foreign language can be the third language only if the other two are Indian languages. It can also be taken as an additional fourth language.
- There is no Class 10 board exam for the third language. Schools assess it internally.
- Students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 who already study two foreign languages can continue the same combination until Class 10.
- French, German and Spanish remain CBSE board subjects at Class 10 and above. Chinese (Mandarin) is not on CBSE’s Class 10 or Class 12 subject list, so it works best as a school-level or outside-school option.
What changed: the CBSE three-language policy, 2026-27
CBSE is rolling out the three-language formula in phases under the National Education Policy 2020. The key dates:
| Date | What happened |
| 9 April 2026 | Circular Acad-17/2026 told schools to introduce the third language (R3) from Class 6 |
| 15 May 2026 | Circular Acad-33/2026 made three languages compulsory for Class 9 from 1 July 2026 |
| 29 June 2026 | CBSE eased the rule: the current Class 10 batch is exempt, and Class 9 students may continue two foreign languages plus one Indian language as a one-time relaxation |
The core rules, in plain words:
- R1, R2 and R3 are different languages. At least two must be native Indian languages.
- Foreign languages are limited to a specific slot. A foreign language can be the third language, but only when the other two are Indian. Otherwise it can be an additional fourth language.
- R3 has no board paper. It is assessed inside the school. It is a qualifying subject, so the marksheet shows “Qualified” or “Not Qualified”.
- Existing students are protected. Children in Classes 7 to 9 who already study foreign languages can continue them through Class 10.
The policy has not been without controversy. A Supreme Court plea against it saw the court decline to pass an interim order, and several states have objected to the framework.
What this looks like in Delhi schools
Delhi parents are feeling the impact at the school level. Reports have noted many private English-medium schools in Delhi and Noida defaulting to Sanskrit as the third language, with English counted as the “foreign” language. In some cases, French, German or Spanish were dropped from the Class 6 list. The Indian School in South Delhi, for example, announced that French would no longer be offered as a Class 6 option. Other principals say their schools are “creating space” for a fourth language instead.
The takeaway: your child’s school may offer fewer foreign-language options than it did two years ago, so check early.
What it means for your child, class by class
| Class | What to know |
| Class 6 | New third-language structure applies from the 2026-27 session. Foreign language is possible only as a fourth language in most English-medium schools. |
| Classes 7 and 8 | If your child already studies two foreign languages, they can continue until Class 10. |
| Class 9 | Three languages are required. Students already in Class 9 in 2026-27 can keep two foreign languages and add one Indian language. |
| Class 10 | The current batch does not need to follow the three-language rule. Board exams cover the language subjects the student has registered. |
| Classes 11 and 12 | The 2026-27 CBSE syllabi still list French, German, Spanish and Japanese among the language subjects, each with 80 marks theory and 20 marks internal assessment. |
One more change worth knowing: Class 10 students now have two board exam opportunities a year. The first is mandatory, and the second is optional for improving scores. In 2026, the first phase began on 17 February and the second ran from 15 to 21 May. Check the official CBSE date sheet for 2027 dates.
Which foreign languages does CBSE actually offer?
| Language | CBSE board subject (Class 10 and above)? | Notes |
| French | Yes | Class 10 subject code 018 |
| German | Yes | Class 10 subject code 020 |
| Spanish | Yes | Class 10 subject code 096 |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | No | Not on the Class 10 or Class 12 subject list. Offered by some schools at lower classes, plus outside coaching |
| Japanese, Russian, Persian, Arabic | Yes | Also listed, but offered by fewer schools |
Subject codes can change, so confirm them on the latest CBSE circular before registration.
Spanish in CBSE schools: what students should know
Why students pick it: Spanish language is spoken across more than 20 countries, and many students find its pronunciation and grammar approachable. It is a popular choice for students who want an “easy to start” language with broad global reach.
What CBSE tests: The Class 10 Spanish paper (code 096) is 80 marks theory plus 20 marks internal assessment, in a 3-hour paper. It covers reading comprehension, written expression, applied grammar and culture. Grammar carries the most weight at 35 of 80 marks. The prescribed books are Aula Internacional 1 and 2. Class 12 moves to Aula Internacional 3, with Latin American literature and history added.
Best for: Students interested in international business, travel, tourism, hospitality, journalism or international relations.
Outside certification: DELE, issued by Instituto Cervantes.
German in CBSE schools: what students should know
Why students pick it: Germany is now the top destination for Indian students abroad. Indian enrolments at German universities rose 17.5% to a record 69,816 in winter semester 2025/26, making Indians the largest international student group in the country. Most public universities charge no tuition, though students need to show about 11,904 euros a year in a blocked account for a visa. Many scholarships ask for German language at B2 level, so an early start helps.
What CBSE tests: The Class 11 German paper (code 120) is 80 marks theory plus 20 marks internal assessment. Applied grammar is the heaviest section at 40 of 80 marks. The prescribed book is Beste Freunde B1.2.
Best for: Students aiming at engineering, technology, research or a master’s degree in Germany. Roughly six in ten Indian students in Germany study engineering.
Outside certification: Goethe-Zertifikat (A1 to C2). In Delhi, the Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan at 3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg runs weekday and weekend courses, with a catalogue for October 2026 to June 2027.
French in CBSE schools: what students should know
Why students pick it: French language is an official language across several continents and a long-standing favourite in Delhi schools. It supports careers in diplomacy, hospitality, fashion, luxury brands and international organisations.
What CBSE tests: The Class 11 French paper (code 118) is 80 marks theory plus 20 marks internal assessment, and applied grammar carries 25 of 80 marks. In Class 12, the theory paper splits into comprehension (20), writing (20), grammar (25) and culture (15). The 20 internal marks come from listening, speaking and a project.
Best for: Students interested in diplomacy, civil services optional papers, hospitality, design, or study in France and Canada.
Outside certification: DELF and DALF. Alliance Francaise de Delhi, in partnership with the Embassy of France, runs programmes from A1 to C2 for all ages.
Chinese (Mandarin): the honest picture for CBSE students
Chinese language is the one language on your list that is not a CBSE board-exam subject at Class 10 or Class 12. CBSE introduced Mandarin at Class 6 level in 2012 as an optional school-level language, but it never became a board subject, and many Delhi schools do not offer it.
That does not make Chinese a bad choice. It simply means the route is different:
- If your school offers it: It can be taken as an additional language at lower classes, subject to the new three-language rules.
- If your school does not: Many families add it through coaching or a short course, then prepare for HSK, the standard Chinese proficiency test.
- Who it suits: Students interested in international trade, manufacturing and supply chains, or East Asian studies. Mandarin is the most widely spoken first language in the world.
Be cautious with any coaching that promises “CBSE marks” for Chinese. It will not count towards the Class 10 or 12 board result.
Spanish vs German vs French vs Chinese: quick comparison
| Spanish | German | French | Chinese | |
| CBSE board subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Exam pattern | 80 theory + 20 internal | 80 theory + 20 internal | 80 theory + 20 internal | Not applicable |
| Grammar weight | Heavy (35 of 80 in Class 10) | Heaviest (40 of 80 in Class 11) | Moderate (25 of 80 in Class 11) | Not applicable |
| Outside test | DELE | Goethe-Zertifikat | DELF / DALF | HSK |
| Strong study-abroad link | Spain, Latin America | Germany | France, Canada | China, Taiwan, Singapore |
| Best for | Business, travel, media | Engineering, STEM, Germany | Diplomacy, hospitality, design | Trade, manufacturing, Asia focus |
How to choose: match the language to the goal
- Planning a master’s or engineering degree in Europe? Start German early. B2 is a common bar for scholarships.
- Interested in diplomacy, civil services or luxury and hospitality? French is a natural fit.
- Want a widely useful language with a gentle learning curve? Spanish.
- Eyeing trade, supply chain or Asia-focused careers? Chinese, understanding that it will be an outside-school pursuit for the board years.
- Not sure yet? Pick the language your school actually offers for board exams. Switching mid-way is hard under the three-language rules.
Questions to ask your school before you decide
- Which languages will be offered as R1, R2 and R3 this year?
- Is a foreign language available as a fourth language, and in which timetable slot?
- Will my child be able to continue the language through Class 10 and into Classes 11 and 12?
- Is there a qualified teacher for the language, or will it be taught by another subject teacher?
- How will the third language be assessed internally?
Frequently asked questions
Is a foreign language compulsory in CBSE schools?
No. The compulsory part is the three-language formula, where at least two languages must be Indian. A foreign language is optional and fits only as the third or an additional fourth language.
Can my child take French, German or Spanish in Class 9 in 2026-27?
Yes, if the school offers it. Students already in Class 9 can continue two foreign languages and add one Indian language. New choices must follow the three-language rule.
Is Chinese available as a CBSE subject in Class 10?
No. Chinese is not on CBSE’s Class 10 or Class 12 list. Some schools offer it at lower classes, and students can learn foreign language outside school and sit HSK.
Will the third language count in Class 10 board marks?
CBSE has said there is no board exam for the third language. It is assessed by the school and shown on the marksheet as qualified or not qualified.
Which foreign language is the easiest for CBSE students?
It depends on the student. Spanish is often considered the easiest to start. German has the heaviest grammar load in the CBSE paper but pays off most for study in Germany.
Does learning a foreign language help with admission abroad?
It can. German in particular is useful for universities in Germany, where many scholarships ask for B2. Other destinations usually test English, so treat a foreign language as an added advantage.
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