Maharashtra Makes Marathi Mandatory for Taxi and Auto Drivers from May 1

Mumbai, April 2026 : In a significant move aimed at strengthening the use of the regional language in public transport, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday announced that all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state will be required to know Marathi from May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day.

The minister said that a statewide inspection drive will be launched through 59 regional and sub-regional offices of the Motor Transport Department to ensure compliance. During these checks, authorities will verify whether drivers can read and write Marathi. Strict action has been warned against those who fail to meet the requirement, including cancellation of driving licences.

Sarnaik clarified that knowledge of the local language, particularly Marathi, has already been a mandatory condition for obtaining licences for rickshaw and taxi drivers. However, the rule has not been effectively enforced, especially in major urban centres such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Nagpur.

He noted that authorities have received numerous complaints from commuters about drivers being unable or unwilling to communicate in Marathi, leading to inconvenience and dissatisfaction among passengers. The new enforcement drive aims to address these issues and ensure smoother communication between drivers and the public.

Emphasising the importance of linguistic integration, the minister said that individuals conducting business in a particular state must respect and learn the local language. “While pride in one’s mother tongue is important, it is equally essential to respect the language of the state where one earns a livelihood,” he said.

Under the revised directive, failure to comply will lead to immediate licence revocation, leaving little room for leniency. Sarnaik also issued a stern warning to transport officials, stating that strict disciplinary action would be taken against those who fail to enforce the rules or issue licences without properly verifying applicants’ Marathi language proficiency.

Transport department sources indicated that the crackdown is intended to eliminate loopholes in the system. Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials found guilty of negligence or issuing licences through improper channels may face serious consequences, including suspension or other penalties.

The issue of Marathi proficiency among public transport drivers has been a subject of debate in Maharashtra for over a decade. A similar directive introduced in 2016, requiring knowledge of Marathi for new auto-rickshaw permits, had sparked legal challenges and concerns about its impact on migrant workers.

However, officials maintain that under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, the state has the authority to impose such conditions for granting permits. Language proficiency is being framed as a matter of public service, enabling drivers to understand road signs, interact effectively with law enforcement, and assist passengers more efficiently.

With the latest announcement coming ahead of Maharashtra Day, the government has positioned the move as an effort to reinforce cultural identity while improving the quality of public transport services.