Maharashtra Gives Auto and Cab Drivers One Year to Learn Functional Marathi

The Maharashtra government has granted auto-rickshaw, taxi, and app-based cab drivers across the state, including in Mumbai, a one-year window to learn functional Marathi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday. The decision follows a meeting with representatives of drivers' organisations who requested additional time due to the diverse educational backgrounds and age groups within the transport workforce.

Fadnavis stated that while union representatives expressed support for the mandate that commercial drivers working in Mumbai learn functional Marathi, they pointed out that learning the language in a short timeframe posed severe challenges for older drivers and those who left formal education long ago. The state government accepted their proposal and confirmed that no regulatory action will be initiated against drivers during the one-year grace period.

The practical Marathi requirement was introduced on August 12 by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and incorporated into the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026. Under the amended framework, drivers unable to demonstrate basic working knowledge of Marathi risked a three-month suspension of their driving licence authorisation, while repeated violations could result in the permanent cancellation of their permits.

On August 22, the Maharashtra Transport Department carried out a statewide language assessment covering 5,211 drivers. Following the drive, authorities issued notices to 777 drivers—including 722 from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region—directing them to gain working knowledge of Marathi within 30 days or face potential licence suspensions.

The relief comes alongside a legal challenge against the rule in the Bombay High Court. Four app-based cab drivers filed a Public Interest Litigation through advocate Vivek Shukla, arguing that the language condition violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and exceeds the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The petition seeks an immediate stay on the notification, warning that the policy risks the badges, permits, and livelihoods of nearly 9.65 lakh drivers across Maharashtra.