Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Issues 777 Notices Over Drivers’ Basic Marathi Skills
Maharashtra requires taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to know basic Marathi.
Officials tested thousands of drivers across the state.
They found that 777 drivers did not show enough practical Marathi knowledge.
These drivers received notices instead of being punished immediately.
They have one month to learn the language.
Officials ask simple questions such as where passengers want to go and whether they have change.
The government says drivers who still do not follow the rule may face strict action.
The Marathi requirement also applies to drivers working for Ola, Uber and Rapido.
Maharashtra’s Transport Department issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical Marathi knowledge.
Officials tested 5,211 drivers during a statewide inspection campaign that began on August 20.
The campaign included 3,942 drivers in Mumbai, according to the report.
Notified drivers have one month to learn Marathi after the August 15 deadline expired.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik warned of strict action against drivers who remain noncompliant.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s Transport Department, taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
- What
- Officials tested drivers for basic practical Marathi skills and issued notices to 777 of them.
- When
- The inspection campaign began on August 20, after the August 15 compliance deadline; the requirement was originally set for May 1.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, where 3,942 drivers were tested.
- Why
- The state made basic Marathi knowledge mandatory for licensed taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers.
- Drivers tested
- 5,211 statewide
- Notices issued
- 777 drivers
- Mumbai tests
- 3,942 drivers
- Campaign start
- August 20
- Learning period
- One month for drivers who received notices
- Required language
- Basic or functional Marathi
- Covered services
- Licensed taxis and auto-rickshaws, including Ola, Uber and Rapido drivers