Hindi No Longer a Compulsory Third Language in Maharashtra Schools
Maharashtra’s School Education Department has announced that Hindi will no longer be a mandatory third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools under the State Board.
While the three-language formula will continue to apply from Class 1, students are no longer required to study Hindi specifically. Instead, schools will have to offer alternative language options if a substantial number of students request them.
School Education Minister Dada Bhuse confirmed that a revised Government Resolution (GR) will soon be issued to officially remove the term “mandatory” in reference to Hindi. “The formula remains intact, but language flexibility will now be given priority based on students’ preferences,” he said.
The decision follows objections raised by the state’s Language Consultation Committee. Its chairperson, Laxmikant Deshmukh, had strongly opposed the earlier requirement, prompting the Education Department to clarify its stance.
