CBSE Confirms Punjabi and Other Languages in 2025-26 Board Exams After Past Controversy

New Delhi, February 26, 2025 – The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially reaffirmed that Punjabi, along with several other languages, will continue to be offered in the 2025-26 academic session. This clarification follows concerns over previous controversies regarding Punjabi’s exclusion from CBSE’s syllabus.

The issue first gained attention when reports suggested that Punjabi was not included in CBSE’s subject list, sparking backlash from educators, political leaders, and the Punjab government. Many saw this as an attempt to sideline the language, leading to widespread protests and demands for its reinstatement. CBSE later clarified that Punjabi had not been removed but remained an optional subject. However, the lack of clear communication fueled the controversy.

Now, with this latest addendum to the draft policy on two board examinations for Class X, CBSE has explicitly confirmed that all previously offered subjects and languages will continue unchanged. The list includes Punjabi, Russian, Nepali, Limboo, Lepcha, Sindhi, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Kokborok, Telugu, Arabic, and Persian.

This move, signed by CBSE Controller of Examinations Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, is expected to put concerns to rest. Students and educators can now be assured that Punjabi and other regional and foreign languages will remain part of CBSE’s academic offerings.