State News

NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to pass any interim order on a plea challenging the implementation of a CBSE policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students from the 2026-27 academic session. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana tagged the plea filed by NGO Friends of People for Active Democracy with similar petitions pending on the issue. “We cannot pass a single-line order today. This matter was argued at length. There is no question of interim protection,” the bench said as it ordered the tagging of the matter. During the brief hearing, the counsel appearing for the NGO submitted that they are not challenging the three-language policy per se but just the implementation part of it. CJI Kant then questioned the NGO’s name, Friends Of People For Active Democracy, and asked in a lighter vein if that kind of nomenclature was meant to create fear in the mind of the court or the people. The counsel replied, “No, my lord. That’s the name of the trust. It’s an old trust set up in 2013”, and submitted that the CBSE was required to issue detailed guidelines by June 15. The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing on July 14 along with other pending petitions. On May 27, the top court agreed to examine the plea challenging a CBSE policy mandating the study of three languages and issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT and sought comprehensive replies within two weeks. It had asked ASG Aishwarya Bhati to submit a report on the logistical preparedness of the CBSE to implement the decision and posted the matter for hearing in the second week of July. According to a recent circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, has been made compulsory for Class 9 students beginning July 1. The move is part of the CBSE’s alignment of its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. “In order to adequately address the competencies envisaged at the Secondary Stage, these textbooks will be supplemented with one appropriate local or state literary material, selected by schools, such as short stories, poems, or nonfiction works,” the board said. It added that detailed guidelines regarding the selection and pedagogical use of supplementary literary material would be issued by June 15. According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language. “With effect from July 1, 2026, for Class IX, the study of three languages (R1, R2, R3) shall be compulsory, with at least two languages being native Indian languages,” the circular said. The board said till the dedicated R3 textbooks are available, Class 9 students shall use the Class 6 R3 textbooks (2026-27 edition) of the chosen language. The CBSE said to keep the focus on learning and reduce any undue pressure on students, no board examination shall be conducted for R3 at the Class 10 level. “All assessments for R3 shall be entirely school-based and internal. The performance of students in R3 will be duly reflected in the CBSE certificate. It is clarified that no student will be barred from appearing in the Class X Board Examinations due to R3. Sample question papers, rubrics for internal assessment will be shared by the board shortly,” it added.   The board also asked schools to update their R3 language offerings for Classes 6 to 9 on the OASIS portal by June 30. According to the board, Class 6 R3 textbooks in 19 scheduled languages will be made available to schools before July 1, while for the remaining native Indian languages, schools may use the available State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and state-level resources. The board further said schools facing a shortage of adequately qualified native Indian language teachers may, as an interim arrangement, engage existing teachers of other subjects who possess functional proficiency in the language concerned. “Collaborative and flexible mechanisms such as inter-school resource sharing through Sahodaya clusters, virtual or hybrid teaching support, engagement of retired language teachers, and utilisation of suitably qualified postgraduates may be adopted,” it added. The CBSE further said relaxations would be provided to children with special needs in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, while foreign students returning to India may get case-by-case exemptions from the requirement of studying two native Indian languages. In April, the CBSE had announced a phased implementation of the three-language formula from Class 6 and the introduction of a two-level system for mathematics and science for Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session. Under the proposed structure, mathematics and science will have two levels — mandatory standard and optional advanced courses. While all students will appear for a common 80-mark examination, those opting for higher proficiency can take an additional advance-level paper aimed at testing deeper conceptual understanding and higher-order thinking skills. (Source: PTI)      

NAMSAI : The first-quarter meeting of the District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom. The meeting reviewed the progress and implementation status of various developmental and welfare schemes across the district, with discussions focusing on effective monitoring, timely execution of projects, and improved service delivery. Addressing the meeting, Namchoom stressed the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination and urged departments to maintain transparency, accountability and efficiency in implementing developmental activities. He emphasised that the benefits of government schemes must reach intended beneficiaries without delay. Namsai Deputy Commissioner CR Khampa highlighted the achievements and challenges of various departments and called for greater cooperation among stakeholders to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and enhance public service delivery. Earlier, Namsai District Planning Officer outlined the objectives of the meeting and underscored the importance of periodic reviews to ensure effective implementation of government programmes. The meeting was attended by Namsai Zilla Parishad Chairperson Chow Sujana Namchoom, Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) from Chongkham, Upper Lekang and Ningroo constituencies, heads of departments and other officials. The members also deliberated on sector-specific issues and resolved to work collectively to accelerate developmental initiatives and ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes across the district. (DIPR)

NAMSAI : A review meeting of all Booth Level Officers (BLOs) under the 47-Namsai (ST) Assembly Constituency on the distribution of enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall here on Thursday. Namsai Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer CR Khampa and Electoral Registration Officer Namsai briefed the BLOs on the procedures and guidelines for the distribution of enumeration forms and underscored the importance of completing the exercise efficiently within the prescribed timeline. The officers emphasised accuracy, transparency and proper verification during the revision process to ensure that all eligible electors are covered and the electoral roll remains updated and error-free. The BLOs were also directed to maintain effective coordination and ensure smooth implementation of the exercise across their respective polling areas. The meeting concluded with instructions to all BLOs to discharge their responsibilities diligently for the successful completion of the electoral roll revision exercise. (DIPR)

  BALEK :  The first edition of the Lobo Cup Super-15 Knockout Cricket Tournament 2026 got underway at Balek Ground near Pasighat on Monday, with 25 teams from across the region competing in the ten-day event. The tournament, scheduled from June 16 to 26, has attracted enthusiastic participation from players and sports enthusiasts, reflecting the growing popularity of cricket among the youth. The opening ceremony was attended by Adi Bane Kebang Students’ Union (ABSU) President Ojing Doruk as the chief guest, former ABSU General Secretary Gombo Tamin as the guest of honour and Kato Doruk as the special guest. Addressing the gathering, Ojing Doruk reiterated his commitment to promoting sports and youth development in the Bogong Banggo area. Responding to a long-pending demand of students and local youth, he assured efforts towards facilitating the construction of a football goal post at Balek Ground to strengthen sports infrastructure and encourage greater participation in outdoor activities. The organisers said the tournament aims to promote sportsmanship, discipline and healthy competition while providing a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent. In the opening match, Malwari CC defeated Ekart Warriors by 72 runs to begin their campaign on a winning note. The champion team will receive a cash prize of ₹30,000 along with a trophy, while the runners-up will be awarded ₹12,000 and a trophy. Organisers expressed confidence that the tournament would provide a boost to grassroots cricket and further strengthen the sporting culture among the youth of the region.

DOIMUKH :  The North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) has issued a public advisory warning residents and stakeholders about the possible controlled release of excess water from the Pare Reservoir during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Informing this, Pare Hydro Power Station Deputy General Manager (Tech) Hydro Structure Maintenance & Infrastructure Division Er Taba Gagung said continuous rainfall in the catchment areas of the Pare River could raise the reservoir water level up to Elevation 245.15 metres (MSL). To maintain reservoir safety and ensure uninterrupted power generation, excess water may be released gradually through the dam’s radial gates in a controlled manner. He further stated that in the event of flash floods or a sudden rise in the reservoir level, all gates of the dam may be opened at any time for emergency discharge of excess water to prevent any major disaster. Appealing for public cooperation, Er Gagung urged Panchayati Raj Institution members, local authorities and residents to disseminate the advisory widely among villages located around the reservoir area and along the downstream stretches of the Pare River, including areas near the powerhouse. The advisory cautioned people against venturing near the reservoir or riverbanks during the monsoon season. Livestock owners have also been advised to keep their animals, including mithun, cattle, goats and pigs, away from the river to prevent accidents and loss. NEEPCO warned that any activity undertaken in disregard of the advisory could result in accidents, for which the individuals concerned would be solely responsible. The corporation sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring public safety and welfare during the monsoon period.