A massive controversy erupted on Wednesday after it was reported that CBSE has removed Punjabi as a subject from its board. In response, the Punjab government announced on Wednesday that Punjabi will now be a compulsory subject in all schools across the state, regardless of the education board they are affiliated with. A notification to this effect was issued today, making it mandatory for students to study Punjabi as a core subject.
The move aims to promote the Punjabi language and ensure its continued relevance in the state's educational system. The notification has been welcomed by many as an important step towards preserving and fostering the cultural heritage of Punjab.
On the controversy, CBSE had issued a clarification that reads, "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 controversy had erupted after a new draft policy issued by CBSE did not include Punjabi (code 004), while all other languages were listed. It was alleged that the draft policy has been prepared and will be hosted on the CBSE website to gather responses from all stakeholders, including schools, teachers, parents, students, and others.