Marathi Mandatory from Classes 1st to 10th in all Schools; Non Compliance to Result in Penalty Including Derecognition
Maharashtra’s School Education Department has cracked down on schools failing to teach Marathi, establishing a strict legal framework that scales from hefty financial fines to total derecognition.
Teaching Marathi from Classes 1st to 10th is compulsory across all mediums and all boards (including CBSE, ICSE, IB, and Cambridge), without exception. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse has warned that non-compliance will lead to immediate action against both defaulting schools and negligent education officers.
#WATCH | Mumbai | On mandating Marathi language in every school till class 10, Maharashtra minister Dadaji Dagadu Bhuse says, “It is a good thing if improvements are made. If Marathi is still not taught, there is a provision for the school to be fined ₹1 lakh. If there is still… pic.twitter.com/JGNeWIQ85y
— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2026
The policy builds on the Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Act, 2020. The issue was aggressively raised during the Legislative Assembly’s Question Hour by MLAs like Atul Bhatkhalkar, who flagged that private boards were keeping the rule strictly “on paper.”
As per the April 17, 2026 GR, schools can no longer use unqualified staff. They must formally appoint teachers who hold the officially prescribed educational qualifications specific to teaching the Marathi language. In tandem with the language push, the state has expanded historical content on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from a few lines to a comprehensive 22-page curriculum in textbooks.
Click here to read the Government Resolution
The Enforcement Mechanism: Step-by-Step SOP
Step 1: The Expert Inspection Teams Special inspection squads (led by Deputy Directors/Education Officers) will physically audit schools. Crucially, these teams must include an experienced, qualified Marathi language teacher to verify the actual quality of instruction.
Step 2: The Two-Month Deadline For non-State Board schools (CBSE, ICSE, IB), inspections to verify compliance must be carried out within two months of the school reopening.
Step 3: Notice & 15-Day Window Defaulters will receive an official legal notice. School management is legally bound to submit their defense to the Divisional Deputy Director of Education (the “Competent Authority”) within 15 days.
Penalties, Appeals, and the “Ultimate Axiom”
The Fine: If the defense is rejected, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh will be levied under Section 12(1) of the Act, alongside a strict directive to start classes immediately.
The 30-Day Appeal: Schools can appeal the penalty within 30 days to the Director of Education (Primary/Secondary), who must host a hearing and rule within two months.
The Final Blow (Derecognition): If a school stubbornly ignores the Director’s order, the case escalates to the Commissioner of Education (Pune). After a final 3-month hearing window, the Commissioner will pass orders to revoke the school’s official recognition starting from the immediate next academic year.
