The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has revised the Class 10 subject structure in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, making the three-language formula mandatory from the 2026-27 academic year.
Under the revised framework, vocational education will no longer be offered as an alternative to the third language. Instead, it will be introduced as a separate eighth subject. The Board has issued a circular to all District Education Officers, directing them to implement the changes with immediate effect.
As per the new subject structure, Class 10 students will be required to study three languages, along with Mathematics, Science and Social Science. The first language will be the medium of instruction of the school, which may be Gujarati, Hindi, English, Marathi, Urdu, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu or Odia. In non-English medium schools, English will be the second language, while Gujarati will be the second language in non-Gujarati medium schools.
Students studying in Gujarati and English medium schools will be able to choose their third language from Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Sindhi or Urdu. Mathematics will continue to be offered at two levels—Basic and Standard.
The seventh subject will vary depending on the type of school. General schools will offer subjects such as Computer Studies, Home Science, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, Introduction to Commerce, Elements of Engineering, Yoga, Health and Physical Education, Drawing, Music, and Sewing and Embroidery. Commerce, technical and higher basic schools will offer stream-specific subject options.
Vocational education will now be taught as the eighth subject for students who opted for it in Class 9, allowing them to continue skill-based education while also studying the mandatory third language.
The Board said the revised structure is expected to have minimal impact on most students, as a majority already study Hindi or Sanskrit as a third language. However, students who had opted for vocational education in place of a third language in Class 9 will now be required to study both. This will ensure that their Class 10 marksheets include three languages, in line with the NEP 2020 framework.