Punjabi Mandatory for Class 10: Punjab Government's Strict Order Following CBSE Draft

 The Punjab government has mandated Punjabi as a compulsory subject for Class 10 students, requiring all schools in the state to teach it as a primary subject. Schools that fail to comply will face strict action under the Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008.

According to the latest notification, students in Punjab will not be considered as having passed Class 10 unless they have studied Punjabi as a main subject. This directive applies to all schools affiliated with any board operating in the state. The government emphasized that this move aims to preserve and promote the regional language among students.

Enforcement and Legislative Background

The directive reinforces the Punjab and Other Languages Education (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which had previously made Punjabi a mandatory subject from Class 1 to Class 10 across the state. Furthermore, Punjabi was also made compulsory in government offices to strengthen its official use.

Opposition to CBSE Draft Norms

The decision comes in the wake of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains’ strong opposition to the CBSE’s draft norms for holding Class 10 board exams twice a year. He criticized the draft for allegedly excluding Punjabi from the subject list and warned against any move to diminish the language's importance. Bains reaffirmed that the Punjab government would not tolerate any attempts to sideline Punjabi in the education system.

CBSE’s Response

In response to concerns, the CBSE clarified that there has been no removal of Punjabi or any other language from its subject offerings. Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj explained that the draft list was merely "indicative" and assured that all currently offered subjects would continue to be available for the Class 10 board exams in both proposed phases. The CBSE has also invited public feedback on the draft policy until March 9, after which it will review and finalize the scheme.

Introduction of Bi-Annual Board Exams from 2026

Apart from the language-related concerns, the CBSE draft also proposes a bi-annual board exam system for Class 10 students starting in 2026. Under this system, students will have the option to take their board exams either in February or May, with the possibility of appearing in both phases to improve their scores. The first phase is scheduled from February 17 to March 6, while the second phase will be held from May 5 to May 20. Notably, there will be no separate supplementary exams, as the second phase will serve as a reattempt for students looking to enhance their marks.

The Punjab government remains firm on its decision to protect and promote Punjabi, ensuring that students across the state continue to learn and use the language in their academic and professional lives.