Maharashtra won’t fully adopt CBSE curriculum, Hindi not compulsory: Dadaji Bhuse clarifies

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra school education minister Dadaji Bhuse clarified on Monday that the state will not be adopting 100% of the CBSE curriculum, but will incorporate select or good aspects for better learning outcomes. Marathi and Maharashtra history and geography will still be a part of the school curriculum.

“We are only taking the good aspects of the CBSE curriculum. If CBSE has a better way of teaching a certain topic, we will adopt it,” he said. “Marathi, along with the state’s history and geography, will continue to be part of the syllabus — in greater proportion,” Dadaji Bhuse said in a press conference.

The education minister also announced that 10,500 teaching posts have been created in the second phase of Maharashtra teacher recruitment, with more vacancies expected in upcoming phases.

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Hindi imposition

On the Hindi language controversy, Bhuse said: “Let me make it clear — the Centre has not imposed Hindi.”

“The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, specifically clause 4.13 on three language formula, will continue to be implemented, while keeping in mind the constitutional provisions, aspirations of the people, regions and unions and to promote multilingualism and national unity. However, there will be greater flexibility and no language will be imposed on any state. The three languages chosen will be of the states, region and students.”

On September 9, 2024, Maharashtra’s State Steering Committee decided to include Hindi as the third language, in line with NEP, which requires two Indian languages. Later, on April 16, 2025, Bhuse officially announced that Maharashtra will implement CBSE curriculum up to Class 12 by 2028. The clarification comes amid the growing concerns over imposition of Hindi in school curriculum.

"Marathi will remain core", the minister reiterated. As per the three languages formula adopted by the state in non-Marathi and English-medium schools, the first language is the medium of instruction (English/other), second language is Marathi, and third language is Hindi.

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Why was Hindi chosen?

The Maharashtra education minister Bhuse explained that Hindi and Marathi share almost the same Devanagari script, making it easier for teachers to teach. “Students are already familiar with many Hindi words. They hear it in their surroundings, so it becomes easier to learn,” he said.

“A wrong message was perhaps given due to the word 'compulsory' in the government order. Now we are getting suggestions about having other languages. But if someone seeks those options, let's say Bengali, we will need Bengali teachers. We will have to make a policy accordingly,” he added.