Marathi Made Mandatory For Classes 1–10 In All Maharashtra Schools; Government Warns Of Strict Action For Non-Compliance
Marathi Made Mandatory For Classes 1–10 In All Maharashtra Schools; Government Warns Of Strict Action For Non-Compliance
Mumbai, June 30, 2026: The Maharashtra government has made Marathi a compulsory subject for students from Classes 1 to 10 in all schools across the state, irrespective of the education board. Education Minister Dada Bhuse announced that strict action will be taken against schools and officials who fail to implement the directive.
The announcement was made during the Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly after legislators raised concerns over several schools allegedly not enforcing the mandatory teaching of Marathi. BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar questioned the implementation of the existing policy and sought stricter enforcement against institutions violating the rules.
Responding to the discussion, Bhuse said the government is committed to preserving, promoting and strengthening the Marathi language. He announced that a statewide inspection drive will be conducted to ensure all affiliated schools comply with the directive. Schools and officials found violating the norms during inspections will face stringent action, he said.
The minister also announced that the state has significantly expanded the coverage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s history in school textbooks. According to Bhuse, following approval from the Central Government, the content has been increased from a brief section in some textbooks to approximately 22 pages, providing students with a more comprehensive understanding of the Maratha ruler’s life and contributions.
Reiterating the government’s stand, Bhuse said compliance with the Marathi language policy would be mandatory for all schools operating in Maharashtra, and any deviation from the prescribed regulations would not be tolerated.
The announcement comes shortly after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) outlined the phased implementation of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy. CBSE has clarified that the current batch of Class 10 students, as well as students presently in Classes 7, 8 and 9, will not be required to appear for a board examination in a third language. The board has also stated that students already studying two foreign languages may continue to do so while adding one Indian language, with learning materials to be introduced in phases.
