KVS Mandates Sanskrit Section in Classes 6 and 9 Under Third-Language Policy

The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has made it mandatory for all Kendriya Vidyalayas to maintain at least one Sanskrit section in Classes 6 and 9 from the 2026-27 academic session under the third-language (R3) framework aligned with NEP 2020 .

In a circular dated May 29, KVS said students must choose R3 as either Sanskrit or a regional/state language , distinct from Hindi and English. Schools have been directed to collect student preferences via the Samagam portal and form sections accordingly, ensuring students opting for the same language are grouped together.

The circular mandates at least one Sanskrit section per school, citing the need to support mobility of children of transferable central government employees. Section strength rules vary: single-section schools may form separate batches (minimum 15 students), while multi-section schools must ensure at least one Sanskrit section per class, with distribution decided by enrollment.

KVS also sought detailed data on student choices to reassess staffing needs.

The move aligns with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023 , which promote multilingual education. It follows CBSE’s recent directive making three languages compulsory in Class 9, including two Indian languages, and allowing foreign languages only as an additional option without a Class 10 board exam for R3.