Indra Hang seeks inclusion of Rai, Sherpa, Tamang and Gurung in CBSE XI-XII

Lok Sabha MP (Sikkim) Indra Hang Subba met the Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, and handed over a letter seeking reconsideration on the issue of regional languages in CBSE Classes XI and XII. The MP asked that Rai, Sherpa, Tamang and Gurung be included as second vernacular subjects in senior secondary classes.

The MP noted that these languages are already offered at the Class X level under CBSE. He said there is an existing academic framework, curriculum and teaching ecosystem for these subjects at that stage, and argued that the same base can support continuation in higher classes.

Continuity for students beyond Class X

Indra Hang said extending the availability of these languages to Classes XI and XII would be a “natural progression” for students who want to keep studying their regional and indigenous languages after Class X. He added that the request is aimed at ensuring that learning does not stop when students move to senior secondary school.

He also raised a point about how students choose subjects. The MP said that students who opt for these languages typically do so instead of other subjects. In his view, this reduces the weight of concerns that additional examination time and logistics would create major difficulties, compared to what may have been expected.

Request to explore a feasible mechanism

Indra Hang urged the Ministry to reconsider the decision and explore a workable mechanism to extend these language offerings to Classes XI and XII. He linked the request to a broader objective of preserving and promoting India’s linguistic diversity, and said it would help communities retain and continue their languages in the formal education system.

After the meeting, he thanked the Minister of State for giving him the opportunity to discuss the matter and requested intervention to support students and communities seeking continuity of these languages in senior secondary education.