The step was taken as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

• Order states that Hindi will be taught as the third language to students of Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
• It provides for option to opt out from Hindi, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to learn any other Indian language.

Three Language Formula

• Origin: Introduced in the NEP 1968 based on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission. 
  • It mandated mother tongue or regional language, official language and a modern Indian or European language
• NEP 2020: Promotes three-language formula (having at least two native languages) without imposition of any language and taking into consideration choices of States, regions and children.
  • It states that wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language.

Need for Three Language Policy

• Constitutional provisions: State to facilitate instruction in mother-tongue at primary stage especially for linguistic minorities (Article 350A) and Directives for development of Hindi language (Article 351).
• Cultural Significance: Promotion of multilingualism, multiculturalism, national unity and associated cognitive benefits to young students.