New Language Rule in Schools: Hindi Made Mandatory in Maharashtra Under NEP

Maharashtra : In a significant step toward implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Maharashtra government has announced that Hindi will be introduced as a compulsory third language in all Marathi and English medium schools across the state. The new policy will apply from Classes I to V, beginning in the upcoming academic sessions.

Until now, students in these schools were required to study only Marathi and English as part of their primary school curriculum, with no third language mandated until higher grades. With this new directive, Hindi will now be taught alongside the existing two languages, aligning Maharashtra’s language education framework with the three-language formula emphasized in NEP 2020.

The state education department confirmed that this decision is aimed at ensuring linguistic diversity and national integration, while also equipping students with the ability to communicate in one of the most widely spoken languages in India.

An official from the department stated, “The inclusion of Hindi from Class I will help students build a strong foundation in the language, improve communication skills, and enhance future opportunities. This step ensures compliance with the NEP’s goal of promoting multilingualism while respecting regional languages.”

The three-language policy outlined in NEP 2020 recommends that students learn three languages during their schooling, with at least two of them being native to India. While states are given flexibility in choosing the languages, the central government has encouraged the inclusion of Hindi to foster a common linguistic link.

The move has received mixed reactions from educators and parents. While some have welcomed it as a necessary reform that will benefit students in the long term, others have expressed concerns about curriculum overload and the need for more trained Hindi teachers, especially in rural areas and tribal regions.

Education experts have urged the government to roll out the policy with adequate teacher training programs and development of engaging learning materials in Hindi for early learners.

Private unaided schools will also be required to comply with the new language structure, though implementation timelines may vary slightly depending on school boards and administrative planning.

As part of the broader NEP 2020 rollout, Maharashtra is also expected to introduce additional reforms, including foundational literacy programs, digital learning tools, and revised assessment methods.