In a firm endorsement of the Central Government’s New Education Policy (NEP), Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the policy is not a new notification but a continuation of efforts already underway in the state. Emphasising linguistic integration, Fadnavis highlighted that the policy aims to promote the learning of Marathi along with other Indian languages.

Speaking about the NEP, Fadnavis said, “The new education policy is something we have already been implementing and it’s not a new notification. Under this education policy, our effort is to ensure that everyone learns Marathi, along with other Indian languages. I believe the central government has envisioned that there should be a common language in our country, and this step is a part of that effort.”

His remarks come at a time when the language debate has once again taken centre stage in Maharashtra, following the state government’s recent directive to introduce Hindi as a compulsory third language from Classes 1 to 5 starting 2025–26.

Fadnavis underlined that the NEP aligns with the broader vision of national integration through multilingual education. “Language is a bridge, not a barrier. Ensuring that students learn their regional language, along with Hindi and English or other Indian languages, strengthens our cultural fabric,” he added.

The NEP, which restructures the education system into a 5+3+3+4 format, seeks to make learning more holistic and inclusive. Maharashtra is among the first states to roll out various components of the NEP, including curriculum changes and language policy adaptation.