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Maharashtra Declares Hindi as Optional Third Language in Primary Schools under NEP 2020.

National | Dated: 19 Jun 2025

On 18 June 2025, Maharashtra government changed its school language policy by making Hindi an optional third language in primary classes, instead of compulsory, under the National Education Policy 2020.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The Maharashtra Education Department recently issued a new Government Resolution (GR) stating that students from Class 1 to 5 can now choose any Indian language as their third language. Hindi will no longer be compulsory, but an optional or ‘general’ subject. This new rule follows the three-language formula suggested in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • - Earlier in April 2025, the government had announced that Hindi would be compulsory from Class 1, which led to heavy criticism from various political and social groups. Many people said this decision ignored the importance of regional languages and was unfair to non-Hindi-speaking students.
  • - Political parties like Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and several Marathi language groups protested the April decision. They argued that this move could weaken the role of Marathi language, which is the state's mother tongue. After this pressure, the government rolled back the decision.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The state government explained that the updated GR is completely in line with the NEP 2020, which says that students must study three languages—one regional language, English, and one more Indian language of their choice. In Maharashtra, Marathi remains compulsory, and the third language can be Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, or any other Indian language.
  • (ii) The change has created some challenges for schools and education departments. Textbooks and study material for multiple language options need to be printed, and syllabus planning must be revised. Institutes like Balbharati and SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) are now working to implement this change smoothly.
  • (iii) This decision shows how the state government is trying to balance national education policies with local language identity. Maharashtra has now set an example for other states that want to follow NEP 2020 while also respecting their own regional languages and cultural values.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which Indian state recently made Hindi an optional third language in primary schools?

Correct Answer: Maharashtra

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Maharashtra

  • Chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis
  • Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan