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Marathi Language Mandatory For Autorickshaw Drivers In Maharashtra ... ETV Bharat / state Marathi Language Mandatory For Autorickshaw Drivers In Maharashtra; State Orders Verification Of Licences The minister has also directed a re-verification of licences of drivers who have already been granted permits but are unable to communicate in Marathi. File photo of Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ( Etv Bharat ) By ETV Bharat English Team Published : April 11, 2026 at 6:11 PM IST 3 Min Read Mumbai: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced that proficiency in the Marathi language will be mandatory for individuals seeking to live and work in the state, particularly for autorickshaw drivers. Speaking to the media, Sarnaik said, "If one wants to live and work in Maharashtra, it is essential to know Marathi. Autorickshaw drivers seeking licences or permits must be able to speak the language." The minister has also directed a re-verification of licences of drivers who have already been granted permits but are unable to communicate in Marathi. Not knowing the language could lead to suspension of licences, and against non-Marathi-speaking drivers. Mumbai and its …

Marathi Language Mandatory for Auto, Taxi Drivers From THIS Date Maharashtra is set to enforce a stricter language rule for public transport drivers, making Marathi proficiency compulsory for all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi operators starting May 1. The directive, which aligns with Maharashtra Day, will require drivers to demonstrate basic reading, writing, and speaking skills in Marathi or risk losing their licences. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced that the Motor Transport Department will roll out a statewide verification campaign through its 59 offices. Authorities will actively check whether drivers meet the language requirement, which has technically been part of licensing rules but has seen weak enforcement over time. Officials indicated that the renewed push comes after repeated complaints from key regions, including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur. Passengers in these areas have flagged difficulties in communicating with drivers who either cannot or choose not to speak Marathi. ALSO READ:ED Raids AAP MP Ashok Mittal’s Home In FEMA Case Days After Replacing Raghav Chadha As RS Deputy Leader The government has outl…

Linguistics over licences in Maharashtra Maharashtra’s Transport Minister has made it mandatory for the State’s taxi and auto drivers to learn Marathi by August 15 or lose their licences. Chinmay R. Gaikwad reports on how RTOs are doubling as classrooms for migrant drivers who are struggling to learn the basics of a new language in just four days of classroom learning. He finds that some drivers are hopeful, while some others feel humiliated

Marathi Language Mandatory for Taxi & Auto Drivers in Maharashtra From ... The Maharashtra government has announced that from May 1, all licensed autorickshaw and taxi drivers in the state will be required to demonstrate basic knowledge of Marathi. The move, coinciding with Maharashtra Day, is aimed at ensuring better communication between drivers and passengers across the state, according to the transport department. The transport department will soon launch a large-scale verification campaign across 59 regional and sub-regional transport offices in Maharashtra. Under this drive, officials will check whether drivers are able to read and write Marathi as part of the licensing compliance process. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik told media that failure to meet the requirement could lead to cancellation of licences and badges. He stated that the rule is not new but has existed within licensing conditions, though enforcement is now being strengthened due to repeated complaints. According to the transport department, drivers must be able to read and write Marathi, and not just speak it. Officials believe this will improve passenger communication, reduce misunderstandings ove…

Maharashtra makes Marathi mandatory for taxi, rickshaw drivers from May ... News Desk Last Updated: 14 April 2026, 09:15 PM IST Share The Maharashtra government has announced that knowledge of Marathi will be mandatory for licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers from May 1, with licences at risk of cancellation for non-compliance. Representational image.| AI generated. Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has announced a new enforcement rule making it compulsory for all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state to have knowledge of Marathi from May 1, Maharashtra Day. The decision was announced by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who said the rule will apply across major urban and regional transport zones including Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Also Read A voice unwithered: Asha Bhosle's hidden film gem and the tragedies behind her smile Guinness record holder Asha Bhosle dies at 92: A look at her unmatched achievements Veteran singer Asha Bhosle passes away at 92 OTT releases this week: Toaster, Euphoria 3, Perfect crown and more ‘Now it’s us three’: Video shared by Rashmika Mandanna keeps fans guessing ‘Cockroaches coming out of food...’: So…

Marathi Mandate: Language, Identity and the Politics of Assimilation Cover Story IL Feature Magazine Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Linkedin By Vickram Kilpady The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to possess entry-level proficiency in Marathi before being granted commercial driving licences. Announcing the decision, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the measure was aimed at improving communication between drivers and commuters. The rule has come into force from May 1—Maharashtra Day—and will eventually ex­tend to app-based transport services such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido. Drivers’ unions have already sought more time for implementation, arguing that many migrant drivers would need a transition period to adapt. Government officials, however, insist the rollout will be gradual and structured rather than abrupt. At its core, the new rule addresses a longstanding grievance among many commuters: the inability of some migrant drivers to converse in Marathi. According to government sources, drivers would only be expected to demonstrate functional proficiency—enough to ask destinations, discuss fares, and communicate basic informati…

Maharashtra's Marathi Test for Taxi and Auto Drivers - Open Magazine Maharashtra is going to ask taxi and auto drivers to take exams to prove they can speak and write Marathi. If they want to ply, this will be a prereq­uisite from May 1, according to media reports. Language is a touchy issue in the state whose genesis was out of it. It has since turned into a low-hanging fruit for politicians to pick on because bread-and-butter issues involve effort. To make administration efficient or to build infrastructure takes years. Even well-intentioned policies, as when some years back they tried to do away with brokers in the road traffic offices, fail because without them the system itself comes close to collapse. A measure that taps into regional pride, where language figures at the top, becomes some­thing tangible in the resume of a minister. In cities like Mumbai the majority of drivers are over­whelmingly non-Maha­rashtrians, and this has been true for decades. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena tried to make the prevalence of North Indian drivers a political issue many years ago and didn’t get much traction. There are things that Indians will do and things that they won’t. Poor unedu­c…

Maharashtra govt to hold Marathi lessons for auto & taxi drivers. Pilot ... Home India Governance Maharashtra govt to hold Marathi lessons for auto & taxi drivers. Pilot... Governance Maharashtra govt to hold Marathi lessons for auto & taxi drivers. Pilot underway, tests from 1 May Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has said that from 1 May, govt will begin testing all taxi & auto drivers, including those working with app-based platforms, on their proficiency in Marathi. Purva Chitnis 24 April, 2026 07:30 am IST 2 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin The road near Dadar vegetable market | Representational image | ANI Photo Follow Us : Text Size: A- A+ Mumbai: Announcing that cab and auto drivers across the state will have to speak Marathi from 1 May, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Thursday confirmed the government’s enlistment of two private organisations—Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh—to teach Marathi to non-Marathi drivers. The Maharashtra government will begin testing taxi and auto drivers, including those working with app-based platforms, on their proficiency in Marathi from 1 May. As a pilot, the transport department has begun checking how ma…