Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Orders Self-Financed Universities to Establish Marathi Departments
Maharashtra’s education minister told private universities that use their own funding to create Marathi language departments.
He gave this direction during a meeting about improving universities.
The meeting also discussed following the National Education Policy 2020.
Universities were asked to improve teaching, internships and four-year degree courses.
They must also keep education data updated on government websites.
The minister asked them to seek accreditation and take part in national rankings.
Every student should receive an APAAR ID linked to the Academic Bank of Credits.
Officials also discussed giving some low-income students a 50% reduction in fees.
The goal is to improve education and support students.
Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil directed all self-financed universities in Maharashtra to establish dedicated Marathi departments.
Patil reviewed National Education Policy 2020 implementation, academic quality, administration and student-focused initiatives.
Universities were told to update enrolment data, implement internships and four-year undergraduate programmes, and improve accreditation and rankings.
Officials directed universities to provide every student with an APAAR ID and complete its mapping with the Academic Bank of Credits.
A proposal to give a 50% fee concession to 10% of students from low-income groups was discussed.
- Who
- Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil directed self-financed universities, with officials and university leaders attending the review meeting.
- What
- All self-financed universities in Maharashtra were directed to establish dedicated Marathi departments and were given additional instructions on education quality, data, accreditation and student initiatives.
- When
- The directions were issued on Tuesday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The review meeting was held at Dr Homi Bhabha State University in Mumbai.
- Why
- The meeting aimed to review National Education Policy 2020 implementation, academic standards, administrative functioning and student welfare.
- Directive
- Self-financed universities in Maharashtra must establish dedicated Marathi language departments.
- Policy focus
- Implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 was reviewed.
- Data reporting
- Universities were asked to update Gross Enrolment Ratio and Gross Participation Ratio information on the AISHE portal and the state department dashboard.
- Accreditation
- Universities were urged to accelerate NAAC and NBA accreditation and increase participation in the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
- Student identification
- Universities were directed to ensure every enrolled student receives an APAAR ID and that all IDs are mapped with the Academic Bank of Credits.
- Fee proposal
- A proposal to provide a 50% fee concession to 10% of students from low-income groups was discussed.
- Annual reports
- Universities were instructed to submit annual reports within the prescribed timeline.