CBSE Clarifies Punjabi Will Remain in Curriculum Amid Political Backlash in Punjab

In response to significant backlash from political leaders in Punjab, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a clarification reaffirming that Punjabi will continue to be offered as a language option in the academic curriculum. This controversy erupted after the CBSE’s draft policy for the upcoming Dual Board Exams, scheduled to start in the 2025-26 academic year, initially excluded Punjabi from its list of regional languages.

The draft list generated strong criticism from various political parties, notably the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab. AAP leaders accused the BJP-led Union Government of waging an “attack on Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat.” Political tensions escalated as both the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not vocally defending the state’s linguistic and cultural identity. The uproar prompted the Punjab Government to mandate that all schools, regardless of their educational board, must teach Punjabi as a main and compulsory subject.

In light of the confusion, the CBSE quickly addressed the issue by releasing a follow-up circular. The board clarified that the draft list was merely indicative and assured that all languages currently offered would remain part of the curriculum for the upcoming academic year. The circular explicitly stated, “All the subjects and languages as offered presently shall continue to be offered for 2025-26 as well,” which included Punjabi alongside other languages such as Russian, Nepali, Sindhi, Malayalam, and Assamese. This swift clarification helped alleviate concerns and reassured many stakeholders.

The timing of the CBSE’s statement coincides with other regional language initiatives. Recently, the Telangana Government announced that Telugu would become a compulsory subject for Classes I to X across all boards, including CBSE, starting from the upcoming academic year. This move follows warnings from Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, who expressed concerns over the imposition of Hindi as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The Punjab language controversy underscores the ongoing discussions around linguistic identity and cultural heritage in India. Punjabi, a language that holds deep significance in the state, is not only a medium of instruction but also a vital part of the cultural fabric. The clarification from the CBSE, alongside the proactive measures from the Punjab Government, demonstrates a commitment to preserving the state’s linguistic identity in the face of changing educational policies.

As the situation evolves, educational authorities and political leaders in Punjab will likely continue to monitor the developments closely. The emphasis on regional languages in education reflects a broader trend in India, where states are increasingly advocating for the preservation and promotion of their linguistic and cultural identities within the national framework.