Last Updated:February 26, 2025, 15:25 IST

CBSE clarified that all current subjects, including Punjabi, will continue to be offered after Punjab Minister’s objection.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday clarified that there will be no change in the subjects offered in the upcoming board exams, including the inclusion of Punjabi. Speaking to News18.com, CBSE’s Controller of Examinations, Sanyam Bhardwaj, responded to concerns raised by various stakeholders, stating that the new draft policy released by the board is merely indicative and does not reflect any changes in the subjects currently available.

“It is clarified that the list of other subjects and languages contained in the draft date sheet is only indicative, and all the subjects and languages as offered presently shall continue to be offered for 2025-2026 as well,” the CBSE reiterated in a press release.

The board further emphasised that languages such as Punjabi, Russian, Nepali, Malayalam, and others will continue to be part of the curriculum.

The clarification follows objections raised by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains, who accused CBSE of excluding Punjabi from its new exam pattern. In a video shared on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Minister Bains demanded that CBSE and the Union Minister for Education reverse the decision, stressing the importance of Punjabi in Punjab’s cultural and educational framework.

“We strongly object to CBSE’s new exam pattern scheme, which attempts to erase Punjabi! Punjabi must be designated as the main language in Punjab and further be included as a regional language in CBSE for the rest of the nation, as it is spoken and read across multiple states. Any attack on Punjabi will not be tolerated!” Bains wrote in his post.

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In addition to Bains, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukbir Singh Badal also criticized CBSE’s move. He emphasised that Punjabi is widely spoken and read across various states and countries, calling the exclusion an “attack on our mother tongue.” Badal urged immediate restoration of Punjabi in the curriculum and rallied Punjabis to join the fight to safeguard the language.

The draft policy released by CBSE did not include Punjabi (code 004) while listing other languages. The policy is open to feedback from stakeholders, including schools, teachers, parents, and students.