In a major shift aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Maharashtra government has announced that Hindi as a third language will be mandatory for students in Classes 1 to 5 across Marathi and English-medium schools, starting from the 2025-26 academic year.
The School Education Department shared a detailed phase-wise plan for the rollout of the revised curriculum based on NEP 2020 recommendations. This change introduces the three-language formula in Marathi and English medium schools, where previously only two languages were taught.
📘 Why Hindi as Third Language in Primary Classes?
The new mandate ensures that all students in these schools study:
- Their medium of instruction (English or Marathi)
- Marathi (as it is compulsory in the state)
- Hindi (now made compulsory as the third language)
Other medium schools in Maharashtra were already following a three-language pattern since they included their medium language, Marathi, and English.
🏫 NEP 2020’s 5+3+3+4 Structure to Begin in 2025
The Government Resolution also marks the beginning of the 5+3+3+4 structure for school education as per NEP 2020. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Foundational Stage (5 years): 3 years pre-primary + Classes 1 & 2
- Preparatory Stage (3 years): Classes 3 to 5
- Middle Stage (3 years): Classes 6 to 8
- Secondary Stage (4 years): Classes 9 to 12
This new structure will commence with Class 1 from 2025-26, and the three-language policy will follow the same phased rollout.
📖 New Textbooks Based on NCERT with Local Adaptations
The new curriculum framework is based on NCERT guidelines, adapted to reflect Maharashtra’s local context—especially in social science and language subjects. The Balbharati bureau will publish new textbooks for Class 1 accordingly.
👩🏫 Curriculum Support for Pre-primary and Teacher Training
Rahul Rekhawar, Director of SCERT, stated that the curriculum for the first three years of pre-primary is already ready. It will be implemented in collaboration with the Women and Child Welfare Department, which oversees Anganwadis. SCERT will also conduct teacher training workshops to ensure smooth execution.
📝 Holistic Progress Cards to Replace Traditional Report Cards
Another key reform is the introduction of the Holistic Progress Card (HPC), which evaluates:
- Learning outcomes
- Student behavior
- Personality traits
This will be implemented starting with Class 1 students from 2025-26. The goal is to shift from marks-based evaluations to a more comprehensive student assessment system.
🔄 Transitioning from Old to New Curriculum
SCERT has also developed bridge courses to help students transition from the old syllabus to the new curriculum. These transitional aids will support both students and teachers during the phased implementation.
✅ Conclusion
With the rollout of NEP 2020 and the inclusion of Hindi as a third language, Maharashtra is setting a strong foundation for multilingual education. Alongside new curriculum structures, progressive textbooks, and student-focused assessments, this marks a transformative chapter in the state’s educational landscape.