Maharashtra okays NEP, Hindi made compulsory 3rd language

The Maharashtra government has announced that Hindi will be a compulsory third language from Classes I to V in Marathi and English medium schools, in line with the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. Currently, only Marathi and English are mandatory from Classes I to IV in these schools. The new curriculum under NEP 2020 will follow a phased timeline, starting with Class 1 in 2025-26 academic year and expanding to all grades by 2028-29.As part of the language policy, Hindi will be introduced as a mandatory third language for early-grade students. To support this transition, the state government also plans to train 80% of teachers in new pedagogical methods and digital tools by 2025.
Under the new policy, Maharashtra will adopt the 5+3+3+4 educational structure, with curriculum development handled locally by SCERT and Balbharati. The 5+3+3+4 educational structure, introduced by the NEP 2020 under new curriculam, divides school education into four stages: a foundational stage, a preparatory stage, a middle stage, and a secondary stage. As per the state education department's notification, “This new policy restructures the previous 10+2+3 system into a 5+3+3+4 format, covering education from foundational to higher levels. The policy is being gradually implemented in the state. It is built on five pillars: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability, and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030.” The notification said that the Maharashtra Government has formed several committees for phased implementation, including a State Steering Committee chaired by the Minister of School Education.
As per the new curriculum framework, textbooks of Maharashtra State Board will now be based on curriculum developed by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) along with modifications as per Maharashtra’s local context, especially in subjects like social science and languages. Accordingly, Class 1 textbooks are being published by Balbharati, the state textbook bureau.
Chief Minister Fadnavis clarified that this is not a new order but part of NEP 2020. He said Marathi is already compulsory in schools and Hindi is being added as a "link language" to support the central government’s goal of national integration.“This decision aligns with the need for a common language to connect the nation,” Fadnavis said.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said, “MNS will not accept the imposition of Hindi from Grade 1. Hindi is not a national language but a state language. If forced, a struggle is inevitable, and the government will be responsible. Marathi and every language deserve respect, not coercion!”

#WATCH | After Maharashtra makes Hindi a compulsory third language under the New Education Policy (NEP) from class 1, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena puts up a poster relating to the issue near Shiv Sena Bhawan in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/VxYK4iEygt

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2025

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also criticised the move, accusing the state and central governments of attacking Marathi identity.