Maharashtra Implements NEP 2020; Hindi Mandated as Third Language in Primary Schools

The Maharashtra government has approved the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, set to commence in the academic year 2025-26. A significant aspect of this rollout is the introduction of Hindi as a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5 across Marathi and English medium schools.​

Under the new policy, Hindi will be integrated as a mandatory third language for early-grade students. This move aligns with the NEP 2020’s three-language formula, which encourages multilingual proficiency among students. To facilitate this transition, the state plans to train 80% of teachers in new pedagogical methods and digital tools by 2025.

Maharashtra will adopt the 5+3+3+4 educational structure as outlined in NEP 2020. This framework divides school education into four stages: foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary. Curriculum development will be managed locally by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Balbharati.​

To oversee the phased implementation of NEP 2020, the Maharashtra government has established several committees, including a State Steering Committee chaired by the Minister of School Education. These bodies will ensure the policy’s objectives are met effectively across the state’s educational institutions.​

The NEP 2020 reintroduces the three-language formula, a concept first proposed in the 1968 education policy. While the policy encourages the study of three languages, it allows states the flexibility to choose the languages based on regional and cultural considerations. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasized that NEP 2020 does not impose Hindi on any state, promoting instead a multilingual approach that includes all Indian languages equally.

As Maharashtra begins on implementing NEP 2020, the introduction of Hindi as a compulsory third language marks a significant shift in the state’s educational landscape. The phased rollout, beginning with Class 1 in 2025-26, aims to enhance linguistic proficiency and align the state’s education system with national standards.