Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Sarnaik Urges Non-Marathi Drivers to Learn Marathi by 2027
Maharashtra wants drivers to be able to speak some Marathi while helping passengers.
The rule requiring this has been put on hold until August 18, 2027.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik says drivers should use the extra time to learn.
They can join free or organized classes through a state campaign, or study online.
The campaign’s first part trained more than 165,800 drivers.
About 8 to 9 lakh non-Marathi drivers are still working in these kinds of vehicles in the state.
Some driver groups said they needed more time, and some drivers protested against the rule.
The government’s campaign aims to help drivers communicate with passengers and other people.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik urged non-Marathi autorickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to learn practical Marathi.
The requirement for drivers to have a working understanding of Marathi is stayed until August 18, 2027.
Sarnaik encouraged drivers to join the second phase of the state’s Marathi-language campaign or learn online.
In the campaign’s first phase, more than 165,800 drivers received training through about 1,800 teachers at over 180 locations.
Driver associations had sought more time, and some drivers protested that the requirement and proposed penalties were unfair.
- Who
- Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and non-Marathi drivers of autorickshaws, taxis and app-based vehicles.
- What
- Sarnaik urged drivers to learn practical Marathi while the language requirement is on hold.
- When
- The appeal was reported on October 5, 2026; the requirement is stayed until August 18, 2027.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The state campaign aims to help drivers communicate with passengers and other citizens.
Support for learning Marathi
Concerns about the requirement
Time to learn
Support for learning Marathi
Pratap Sarnaik urged drivers to use the stay to learn Marathi through the campaign’s classes or online resources.
Concerns about the requirement
Autorickshaw and taxi driver associations sought more time to learn the language.
Fairness of enforcement
Support for learning Marathi
The campaign is intended to help drivers communicate with passengers and other citizens.
Concerns about the requirement
Some drivers protested, saying the language requirement and proposed action against drivers who did not meet it were unfair.
- Requirement status
- Stayed until August 18, 2027.
- First-phase training
- More than 165,800 non-Marathi drivers trained.
- Training network
- About 1,800 teachers at more than 180 locations.
- Estimated drivers still to reach
- About 8 to 9 lakh non-Marathi drivers operate autorickshaws, taxis and app-based vehicles in Maharashtra.
- Campaign
- “Maharashtra Majha! Marathi Majhi Samvad Bhasha!”
- Campaign partners
- The transport department, the State Marathi Development Institute and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad.