Maharashtra Makes Hindi Compulsory as Third Langauge Alongside Marathi and English for Classes 1-5 from 2025

Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, Hindi will become a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 studying in all Marathi and English medium schools in Maharashtra. This move is part of the state’s implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and comes with a host of other major changes aimed at overhauling the school education system.

According to the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) 2024 notification issued by the education department, the three-language formula will now apply to the foundational and preparatory stages of schooling as well. This means that young students in Marathi and English medium schools will learn Hindi in addition to Marathi and English from the very beginning of their academic journey.

For schools operating in other mediums like Urdu or Gujarati, the existing formula will continue—students will study their medium of instruction, along with English and Marathi. The language policy for Classes 6 to 10 remains unchanged under this framework.

Why the Shift?

The rationale behind this shift lies in the NEP 2020’s vision to promote multilingualism and national integration. By including Hindi as a mandatory component, the Maharashtra government aims to align state-level education with national standards. However, this move has not come without controversy.

A Language Debate Rekindled

Critics, especially from non-Hindi-speaking communities, have voiced concerns about linguistic imposition. Social media reactions have shown a mix of support and frustration, with many calling the move a step towards national unity, while others argue it burdens young learners unnecessarily. The policy has drawn comparisons with states like Tamil Nadu, which continues to reject the three-language formula in favor of a two-language system.

Educators too are divided. Some school principals worry that adding a third language at the foundational level could overwhelm children who are already adjusting to the demands of early schooling. Others believe the inclusion of Hindi will enhance students’ prospects in national-level exams like NEET, JEE, and UPSC, especially those from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

A New School Structure

Alongside the language changes, Maharashtra will adopt the NEP-recommended 5+3+3+4 academic structure, replacing the decades-old 10+2+3 system. This new model redefines school stages as:

• Foundational (3 years pre-primary + Classes 1–2)
• Preparatory (Classes 3–5)
• Middle (Classes 6–8)
• Secondary (Classes 9–12)

The transition begins with Class 1 in 2025-26 and will be gradually rolled out to all classes by 2028-29. Bridge courses will be introduced to help students adjust during the transitional phase.

Focus on Curriculum Quality

To support this shift, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Balbharati will create integrated syllabi using both NCERT and state board materials. NCERT books will be adapted into Marathi, aiming to raise the standard of education in government schools and better prepare students for competitive exams.

The new curriculum will also emphasize local history, with mandatory content on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Meanwhile, school timetables and evaluation methods will be restructured to ensure balanced attention to all subjects, including languages.

Assessments Get a Makeover

From 2025-26, the traditional report card will be replaced by the Holistic Progress Card (HPC), which will track not just academic performance but also behavior, personality development, and learning outcomes. This aligns with NEP’s goal to move beyond rote learning.

Teacher Training & Rollout

SCERT will hold training workshops across the state, including for anganwadi teachers, to ensure smooth implementation. Schools will also receive new timetables and examination formats in line with the updated curriculum structure.

What About Higher Grades?

Interestingly, the draft State Curriculum Framework for Classes 11 and 12 proposes making English optional. Students will have to choose two languages, at least one of which must be Indian (like Marathi, Hindi, or Sanskrit). This has sparked concerns among educationists about diminishing English proficiency at higher levels.

The curriculum for higher grades will also adopt a multidisciplinary approach, letting students mix and match subjects across science, commerce, and arts—another key element of NEP 2020.

Final Word

Maharashtra’s education overhaul under NEP 2020 is ambitious and far-reaching. While its goal is to create a more inclusive, multilingual, and skill-driven education system, the decision to mandate Hindi from Class 1 has reignited long-standing debates about language imposition and regional identity.

As the state prepares for a phased rollout, all eyes will be on how effectively the policy is implemented and how students, teachers, and communities adapt to these sweeping changes.