Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Gives Auto, Cab Drivers One Year to Learn Marathi
Maharashtra wants auto and taxi drivers to know enough Marathi to communicate with passengers.
The rule also includes some app-based cab drivers.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said drivers will now have one year to learn the language.
They will not be punished during that year for not knowing enough Marathi.
Driver groups said they support learning basic Marathi but need more time.
They said drivers are different ages and many left school long ago.
The government plans to organise classes and provide study materials.
Four app-based drivers have challenged the rule in the Bombay High Court, saying it could be unfair and threaten drivers’ livelihoods.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year grace period for auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to learn functional Marathi.
No enforcement action will be taken during the grace period solely because drivers lack the required Marathi knowledge.
Driver organisations said they supported basic Marathi but needed more time because drivers vary in age and educational background.
The government plans to support Marathi classes and provide study materials during the one-year period.
The rule faces a legal challenge from four app-based drivers, while reports differ on the number of drivers who received notices.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, driver organisations and commercial passenger-vehicle drivers.
- What
- Auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers have been given one year to acquire functional or basic working knowledge of Marathi.
- When
- Fadnavis announced the grace period on Thursday, August 27; reports place earlier checks on August 20 or August 22.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
- Why
- Driver organisations said a short deadline was difficult for workers of different ages and educational backgrounds, many of whom had left formal education years earlier.
Government and Rule Supporters
Drivers and Legal Challengers
Basic Marathi requirement
Government and Rule Supporters
The Maharashtra government says commercial passenger-vehicle drivers working in the state, particularly Mumbai, should have basic or functional Marathi knowledge.
Drivers and Legal Challengers
Driver organisations said they supported learning basic Marathi, but argued that workers needed more time because of differences in age and educational background.
Enforcement timeline
Government and Rule Supporters
Transport authorities began language checks, and earlier statements indicated that drivers who failed could face badge or authorisation suspension and potentially permit cancellation.
Drivers and Legal Challengers
Drivers sought a longer compliance period, and protests were reported over the proposed penalties and the possible effect on their work.
Legal authority
Government and Rule Supporters
The state formalised the language requirement through amendments to its motor-vehicle rules for commercial passenger-vehicle drivers.
Drivers and Legal Challengers
Four app-based drivers argued that the requirement violates constitutional rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 and goes beyond the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which they said does not prescribe a language requirement for driving licences.
- Grace period
- One year to learn functional or basic working Marathi
- Enforcement pause
- No action will be taken during the one-year period for failure to meet the language requirement
- Covered drivers
- Auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers, including non-Marathi speakers
- Government assistance
- Marathi classes and study materials are planned
- Earlier deadline
- The government initially set an August 15 deadline after announcing the requirement in April
- Inspection results
- Reports cite either 1,268 notices or 777 notices after statewide checks; one report says 5,211 drivers were tested and 722 of the 777 cited drivers were from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
- Legal challenge
- Four app-based cab drivers filed a Bombay High Court petition challenging the notification
- Proposed penalties
- Earlier accounts said failed drivers could face badge or authorisation suspension and, for repeated violations, permit cancellation
Sources
Maharashtra Auto, Taxi Drivers Get To 1 Year To Learn Marathi: D Fadnavis
Marathi crackdown: Auto and cab drivers now have a year to learn language
Maharashtra Gives One-Year Extension To Non-Marathi Auto And Taxi Drivers To Learn Marathi
Maharashtra Auto, Taxi Drivers Get One Year to Learn Functional Marathi After Seeking More Time: CM Fadnavis
Auto-rickshaw, taxi drivers in Maharashtra to get 1 year to learn Marathi: CM Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra: CM Fadnavis Gives 1-Year Time To Auto-Taxi Drivers To Learn Marathi; No Action During Period
Auto, taxi drivers get one year to learn Marathi: Fadnavis
Maharashtra gives one year to auto, cab drivers to learn Marathi
