Hyderabad (Telangana) [India]: The Telangana Government has issued an order making Telugu a compulsory subject for students in CBSE, ICSE, IB, and other Board-affiliated schools across the state.
The order states:
- Replacement of “SINGIDI” (Standard Telugu) with “VENNELA” (Simple Telugu), coded 089 as per CBSE’s Language Group-L subject list.
- The new curriculum will be applicable to Class IX from the academic year 2025-26 and Class X from 2026-27.
The Director of School Education, Telangana, has been directed to ensure the implementation of this mandate.
CBSE to Implement Two-Exam System from 2025-26
In a major reform, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed introducing two board exams for Class X students starting from the 2025-26 academic session.
This change aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to reduce academic pressure and provide students with a second chance to improve their scores.
Key Details:
- Exam Phase 1: February 17 – March 6
- Exam Phase 2: May 5 – May 20
- CBSE has invited feedback from schools, teachers, parents, and students on the draft policy until March 9, 2025, through its official website (https://www.cbse.gov.in).
- In 2026, about 26.60 lakh Class X students and 20 lakh Class XII students are expected to take the exams.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on NEP and Language Policy
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded to Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin’s letter to PM Narendra Modi, dismissing his concerns about NEP 2020 as “imaginary and politically motivated.”
Pradhan clarified:
- NEP 2020 does not impose any language on any state.
- The policy aims to bring global standards while ensuring education remains rooted in Indian languages and culture.
- He criticized Tamil Nadu for losing ₹5000 crore in education funding by not implementing PM Shri schools, which promote scientific education and teaching in Tamil.
The ongoing education reforms reflect a push toward bilingual education, while the CBSE’s two-exam system is designed to enhance student performance and reduce stress.