Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Notices 1,268 Taxi, Auto Drivers Over Marathi
Maharashtra is checking whether taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers can use basic Marathi with passengers.
Officials tested more than 8,000 drivers on the first day.
They gave notices to 1,268 drivers who did not show enough working knowledge of the language.
These drivers have one month to learn Marathi and take another assessment.
If they still do not meet the requirement, their badges can be suspended for three months.
Officials ask questions about destinations, fares, directions, meters and routes.
The government says this will make conversations with passengers easier and safer.
Some drivers and representatives say the rules do not clearly explain exactly how the test should be conducted.
Regional Transport Offices tested 8,217 taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers across Maharashtra on Thursday.
Officials issued notices to 1,268 drivers, including 604 of 3,995 tested in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The drivers have one month to demonstrate working Marathi knowledge or face a three-month badge suspension.
The assessment used about 15 to 16 questions covering destinations, directions, fares, meters, routes and other passenger interactions.
The government cites passenger communication and safety, while unions and former officials question the rules’ testing standards.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s Regional Transport Offices tested commercial passenger-vehicle drivers, mainly taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, under Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik’s direction.
- What
- Officials issued notices to 1,268 drivers for inadequate working knowledge of Marathi and gave them one month to improve.
- When
- The statewide checking began on Thursday and is scheduled to continue until September 30; the notices allow one month for improvement.
- Where
- The checks took place across Maharashtra, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Dadar in central Mumbai.
- Why
- The government says basic Marathi is needed for passenger convenience and safety and supports Maharashtra’s language, identity and culture.
Government and Transport Officials
Driver Representatives and Former Officials
Purpose of the requirement
Government and Transport Officials
The government says practical Marathi helps drivers understand passengers and communicate about everyday journeys, improving convenience and safety while preserving Maharashtra’s language and culture.
Driver Representatives and Former Officials
Some drivers objected to the checks and accused officials of bringing politics into the language issue, while representatives have questioned the need for the enforcement exercise.
Meaning of working knowledge
Government and Transport Officials
Officials say the assessment is not a fluency test and uses roughly 15 to 16 practical questions about destinations, directions, fares, meters, routes and stands.
Driver Representatives and Former Officials
A taxi-union leader and a former RTO official said the amended rules do not clearly define working knowledge or specify whether the assessment should be oral or written, potentially creating opportunities for corruption.
Impact on drivers
Government and Transport Officials
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the government does not intend to take away livelihoods and is giving drivers training and an additional month to meet the requirement.
Driver Representatives and Former Officials
Drivers who continue to fail the assessment may have their badges suspended for three months; officials also said continued refusal could lead to cancellation of a badge and licence.
- Drivers tested
- 8,217 on the first day
- Notices issued
- 1,268 drivers
- Mumbai Metropolitan Region
- 3,995 tested; 604 found to lack working Marathi knowledge
- Rest of Maharashtra
- 4,222 tested; 664 received notices
- Assessment
- About 15 to 16 questions based on everyday driving situations
- Training
- The government said 1.65 lakh drivers had completed Marathi training and received certificates during a 105-day campaign
- Potential penalty
- A three-month badge suspension; officials also said continued non-compliance could lead to further badge or licence action
