Maharashtra Government Revises Language Policy for Primary Schools

Changes to Language Requirements in Schools

The Maharashtra government has retracted its previous mandate that required Hindi to be the compulsory third language in Marathi and English medium primary schools. A new resolution from the School Education Department now permits students in Classes 1 to 5 to select any other Indian language instead of Hindi. However, Marathi will remain a mandatory subject across all schools, regardless of the medium of instruction.

As per the updated directive, students from Classes 1 to 5 can choose an alternative Indian language in place of Hindi, although Hindi will still be taught as a third language generally.

The three-language policy will be implemented starting from Class 1. If there are more than 20 students in a class interested in learning a different language instead of Hindi, the school will provide a teacher for that language, or it will be offered online.

According to the State Curriculum Plan for School Education 2025, Hindi will serve as the third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English medium schools. However, students wishing to learn another Indian language as their third language will be permitted to do so, provided there are at least 20 students interested in that option.

For students in Classes 6 to 10, the existing policy will remain unchanged and will adhere to the current provisions of the State Curriculum Framework.