2 weeks ago
Maharashtra Sets Marathi Enforcement Rules for Auto-Taxi Drivers
Maharashtra has made a new rule requiring certain passenger-vehicle drivers to know basic Marathi.
The rule covers auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers.
Transport officials will meet on August 19 to decide exactly how to enforce it.
The enforcement drive is scheduled to begin on August 20.
Drivers who do not know enough Marathi will first get one month to learn it.
If they still do not comply, their driver badge could be suspended for three months.
Continued refusal could cause both their badge and permit to be cancelled.
Officials will also check new applicants’ Marathi skills and verify their residence documents.
The Maharashtra Transport Department will meet on August 19, 2026, to finalize enforcement of the Marathi language requirement.
The rules require auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to have a working knowledge of Marathi.
Beginning August 20, drivers lacking basic conversational Marathi will receive a one-month notice to learn the language.
Continued non-compliance could lead to a three-month badge suspension and eventually cancellation of both the badge and operating permit.
Transport officials will video-record interactions with new applicants and verify domicile documents, including 15 years of residence in Maharashtra.
- Who
- Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Transport Department officials, and commercial passenger-vehicle drivers.
- What
- Officials are finalizing enforcement of a rule requiring drivers to have a working knowledge of Marathi.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including transport offices handling auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab permits.
- When
- The enforcement meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2026, and the enforcement drive is set to begin August 20, 2026; the rules were notified on August 12.
- Why
- The state says drivers must respect Maharashtra’s language and culture and comply with the amended motor vehicle rules.
Key facts
- Relevant regulation
- Maharashtra Motor Vehicle (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Language standard
- Working knowledge or basic conversational Marathi
- Affected drivers
- Auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers
- Initial response
- A one-month notice to learn Marathi
- Possible penalties
- Three-month badge suspension, followed by cancellation of the badge and operating permit for continued non-compliance
- Permits issued
- More than 965,000 permits, according to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik
- Domicile verification
- Applicants’ documents and claimed 15-year residence in Maharashtra will be cross-checked
- Language-training participants
- About 165,600 non-Marathi drivers completed Marathi training through a 105-day campaign
Sources
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