Punjab Mandates Punjabi as Main Subject in All Schools Following CBSE Controversy

The Punjab government has made Punjabi compulsory in Class 10 across all boards, while the CBSE denies claims of excluding the language from its draft norms.

The Punjab government has issued a notification making Punjabi a mandatory main subject for Class 10 in all schools, regardless of board affiliation.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains accused the CBSE of marginalizing Punjabi by not listing it as a main subject in its draft norms for board exams.
CBSE clarified that its draft policy is indicative and that Punjabi, along with other regional and foreign languages, will continue to be offered in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Schools failing to comply with Punjab's directive to teach Punjabi as a main subject risk having their Class 10 certificates declared invalid, with fines imposed on violators.
The CBSE's draft proposal also includes holding Class 10 board exams twice a year starting in 2026, with students allowed to choose or retake specific subjects.