Three-Language Policy Scrapped in Maharashtra: Empowering Schools with Language Flexibility

Maharashtra schools gain flexible language choices

Main Takeaway:
The Maharashtra government has withdrawn its April 16 and June 17 government resolutions mandating Hindi as the compulsory third language (Marathi, Hindi, English) for Classes 1–5 in Marathi and English-medium schools. Until a committee led by Dr Narendra Jadhav submits its recommendations, schools may offer any Indian language of their choice alongside Marathi and English, allowing genuine multilingual instruction1.

Background and Timeline

In April 2025, under the National Education Policy 2020 framework, the state education department issued a resolution making Hindi the mandatory third language for primary classes. Widespread protests by the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, including Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, decried this as a forced imposition of Hindi.

• April 16, 2025: Initial GR mandates Hindi as the third language for Classes 1–5 in Marathi and English-medium schools.
• June 18, 2025: Policy amended to allow alternatives if at least 20 students opt for another Indian language, taught by an appointed teacher or online.
• June 24, 2025: Committee under Dr Narendra Jadhav formed to review implementation strategy and language options.
• June 29, 2025: State officially withdrew both GRs pending the committee’s report, reinstating schools’ autonomy in language selection1.

Implications for Schools and Students

• Enhanced Autonomy: Schools can now introduce languages such as Sanskrit, Urdu, French, or regional tongues based on student interest and resource availability.
• Cultural Preservation: Flexibility supports the preservation and promotion of local and tribal languages, fostering cultural identity.
• Resource Optimization: Online instruction provisions ensure that even languages with fewer learners remain accessible without overburdening the school’s teaching roster.

Next Steps and Committee Review

The Jadhav committee has been allotted three months to:

1. Determine the optimal grade level(s) for introducing additional languages.
2. Outline criteria for selecting language options and delivery modes (in-person vs. digital).
3. Recommend teacher-training protocols and resource allocation methods.

Their report will guide a fresh GR aligning Maharashtra’s multilingual education policy with NEP 2020 objectives while safeguarding students’ interests and linguistic diversity.

UPSC Preparation Strategy

Aspiring civil servants should focus on:

• NEP 2020’s Three-Language Formula: Objectives and implementation challenges.
• Federalism & Education Policy: State autonomy in curricular decisions and centre–state dynamics.
• Language Politics in India: Historical context of language imposition debates, balancing national unity with regional identity.

Sample Question:
“Critically examine the withdrawal of Maharashtra’s three-language policy GRs in 2025. How does this decision reflect the tensions between national education objectives and regional linguistic identities?”