Maharashtra Mandates Hindi as Third Language in Schools Under NEP 2020
The Maharashtra school education department has introduced Hindi as a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This change, effective from the 2025-26 academic year, shifts from the previous two-language system in these schools, according to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday.
The new curriculum framework, designed to meet NEP 2020 guidelines, implements the three-language formula, ensuring Hindi is taught alongside Marathi and English. For schools with other mediums of instruction, the policy requires the medium language, Marathi, and English to be studied, as they already follow a three-language approach. The GR clarifies that this adjustment brings uniformity to language education across all mediums in the state.
The NEP 2020 also restructures Maharashtra’s school education into a 5+3+3+4 model, replacing the traditional 10+2+3 system. This framework divides schooling into four stages: the foundational stage (three years of pre-primary plus Classes 1 and 2), the preparatory stage (Classes 3 to 5), the middle school stage (Classes 6 to 8), and the secondary stage (Classes 9 to 12). The rollout will begin with Class 1 in the 2025-26 academic year and expand progressively.
To support this transition, Balbharati, Maharashtra’s textbook bureau, is revising Class 1 textbooks to align with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) guidelines while incorporating local contexts in subjects like history, geography, and languages. Bridge courses will also be introduced to help students adapt to the new curriculum. Additionally, the state plans to implement a Holistic Progress Card (HPC) from 2025 to provide a comprehensive evaluation of student progress, as outlined by the NCERT.
Rahul Rekhawar, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Maharashtra, confirmed that the preschool syllabus is finalized. SCERT will collaborate with the Women and Child Welfare Department to train anganwadi workers and roll out the curriculum at the grassroots level. The state has also established multiple committees, including a State Steering Committee chaired by the Minister of School Education, to oversee the phased implementation of NEP 2020.
This policy marks a significant step in Maharashtra’s adoption of NEP 2020, aiming to standardize language education and restructure schooling to meet national guidelines.