Maharashtra U-Turns on NEP Hindi Mandate for Classes 1

Hindi Not Compulsory in Maharashtra Schools

On June 30, 2025, the Maharashtra government officially withdraws its Government Resolutions (GRs) mandating Hindi as the third language in Classes 1 to 5, reversing earlier directives under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision, stating that both the April and June GRs have been retracted, and that a high-level committee led by Dr. Narendra Jadhav will now review the three-language formula and guide future implementation.

Background of the Controversy

Following NEP 2020, which encourages a three-language formula, Maharashtra in April issued a GR making Hindi compulsory as the third language from Class 1. The rollout was intended to follow the 5+3+3+4 structure, with 80% of teachers receiving training by 2025.

However, this decision triggered strong opposition. Political leaders like Raj Thackeray of MNS and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the move as Hindi imposition threatening Marathi identity. Opposition parties and cultural groups also joined the protests, citing concerns over the marginalization of Marathi-medium schools.

Official Clarifications and Amendments

In response to the backlash, on June 17, the government issued an amended GR removing the word “compulsory” from the July 1 notification. The revised policy made Hindi the default third language, but allowed schools to offer any other Indian language if at least 20 students opted for it.

CM Fadnavis defended the revised policy, clarifying that Marathi remains mandatory, and that students could choose any Indian language as their third language under NEP guidelines.

Despite the amendment, concerns remained. Educators argued the minimum threshold of 20 students posed logistical challenges in smaller schools, while critics feared Hindi was being introduced by “backdoor”.

Full Withdrawal and Committee Formation

The state’s cabinet convened on June 30 and decided to fully retract both GRs. A new committee chaired by Dr. Narendra Jadhav, a respected educationist, will conduct wide-ranging consultations before any new policy is finalized.

Fadnavis emphasized that the government is committed to implementing NEP, but with sensitivity to regional aspirations and practical realities. Marathi’s central place in school education remains non‑negotiable.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Educational Associations: Over 20 teachers’ associations demanded a total rescindment of the three‑language directive, preferring the existing two-language system with Hindi introduced only from Class 6.
Language Activists: Campaigners expressed alarm at falling Marathi-medium enrolment, citing closures of nearly 40 schools in Mumbai and a loss of around 50,000 Marathi students. They demand a white-paper on language policy .
Political Leaders: Raj Thackeray warned the policy threatened cultural identity, while Sharad Pawar supported dissent but criticized pressure tactics.

Implications and Next Steps

This episode highlights the challenges of implementing NEP’s language policy in linguistically diverse states. Key lessons include:

Consultation First: Top-down language mandates can backfire without stakeholder involvement.
Flexibility in Policy: Allowing regional, tribal, and minor language choices reinforces NEP’s vision but implementation must be feasible.
Implementation Mechanism: Success depends on robust infrastructure qualified teachers, teaching resources, and logistics for offering optional languages.
Safeguarding Regional Identity: Any language policy in a multilingual nation must respect local sentiments and traditions.

The upcoming Dr. Jadhav committee report will be crucial. It is expected to detail how Maharashtra can design a flexible, sustainable language education policy, balancing NEP mandates with regional realities.

Conclusion

Maharashtra’s U‑turn on the NEP three-language policy reflects the delicate balance required when national policy frameworks interact with regional identity and practical execution. The withdrawal of the earlier GRs and formation of a review committee offers a chance to revisit and design a language education policy that is inclusive, consultative, and context-sensitive. As Maharashtra charts the next steps, its approach could serve as a model for other states navigating the complex terrain of linguistic diversity under the NEP.

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Maharashtra U-Turns on NEP Hindi Mandate for Classes 1–5, Sets Up Review Committee