Maharashtra Makes Marathi Language Compulsory In All Schools Up To Class 10

The Maharashtra government has made Marathi language education and examinations compulsory for students from Classes 1 to 10 across all schools in the state, regardless of their medium of instruction or affiliated education board. The announcement was made in the state Assembly by School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, who confirmed that the directive is being enforced under the Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Act, 2020.

According to the government, the policy has now been fully implemented across the state after a phased rollout. Minister Bhuse stated that Marathi examinations will be conducted for every class, reinforcing that the language requirement is not merely symbolic but a mandatory academic component. The decision applies uniformly to all schools operating in Maharashtra, including English, Hindi and other medium institutions.

The state government has also directed schools to ensure the appointment of qualified Marathi language teachers to meet the new academic requirements. Compliance will be monitored through regular inspections, and authorities have been instructed to investigate complaints against institutions failing to implement the directive. The government has emphasised that strict enforcement measures will be taken against non-compliant schools.

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Under the enforcement framework, schools that fail to comply will first be issued a warning and asked to correct violations. If they continue to disregard the mandate, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh can be imposed. In cases of repeated non-compliance, the government has also stated that a school’s recognition or affiliation may be cancelled. These stricter provisions were formalised through a government resolution issued on April 17, 2026.

During the Assembly discussion, several legislators called for stronger enforcement and questioned the number of schools already penalised under the Act. Suggestions were also made to increase the penalty amount to ensure greater compliance. In response, the education minister said the government is also examining a proposal to revive an international-standard Marathi education board to strengthen language education further.

Bhuse further noted that schools are expected to observe and respect state symbols, including the singing of the state song “Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha,” in a manner similar to the National Anthem. With this move, Maharashtra has reinforced its focus on promoting Marathi language learning across all educational institutions in the state.

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