In a major move towards modernising education, the School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra has announced the phased roll out of a new school curriculum and syllabus from the academic year 2025–26.
This development is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a landmark reform introduced by the Central Government to transform India’s education system.
What’s Changing in Maharashtra Schools?
From 2025 onwards, Maharashtra will begin implementing the new 5+3+3+4 education structure, replacing the traditional 10+2 system. This change will be rolled out in phases and will impact the curriculum, textbooks, teaching methods, and assessments across the state.
Phased Implementation Schedule
The new curriculum will not be introduced all at once. Instead, it will be gradually applied to different classes over four years:
| Year | Class |
| 2025–26 | Class 1 |
| 2026–27 | Classes 2, 3, 4, and 6 |
| 2027–28 | Classes 5, 7, 9, and 11 |
| 2028–29 | Classes 8, 10, and 12 |
Curriculum changes for Balwadi (pre-primary) will be announced separately in coordination with the Department of Women and Child Development.
New Education Structure Explained
Here’s how the 5+3+3+4 model looks:
| Stage | Age Group | Classes |
| Foundational Stage | 3 to 8 years | Balwadi 1–3, Classes 1–2 |
| Preparatory Stage | 8 to 11 years | Classes 3–5 |
| Pre Middle School | 11 to 14 years | Classes 6–8 |
| Middle School | 14 to 18 years | Classes 9–12 |
This structure is designed to better match a child’s learning needs and growth stages.
Curriculum and Textbooks
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Maharashtra, will lead the design of the curriculum to suit local needs, while aligning with NEP 2020. Balbharati will publish the textbooks as per the new structure. Bridge courses will be introduced to help students adjust smoothly.
Textbook Development Guidelines
New textbooks won’t just be about reducing content, they’ll be about making learning joyful, hands-on, and meaningful. Here is what has been planned:
- Focus on foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills.
- Use of simple, engaging content that encourages creativity and thinking.
- Created with help from subject experts and SCERT specialists.
- Reviewed and finalised by the State Coordination Committee, led by the Education Commissioner.
- Supplementary materials like activity books and teacher handbooks will also be provided.
Assessment and Report Cards
Moving away from rote learning, student progress will now be assessed in a more well-rounded way.
- SCERT will create new guidelines for student assessments.
- Students in Maharashtra state board schools will now receive Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs), which will highlight not just academic performance but also achievements in extracurricular activities—unlike the current report cards that focus solely on academics.
- The state plans to introduce Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs) from the current academic year, beginning with students of Class 1.
This approach helps identify not just what a student has learned, but also how well they’ve understood and applied it.
Timetable and Exams
To make sure learning time is used efficiently, school schedules will also follow the SCF. This includes:
- Daily, weekly, and annual plans for each class.
- Semester schedules and exam timetables set by the respective directorates, in consultation with SCERT.
These changes will ensure consistency across schools while giving students enough time for learning, revision, and extra-curricular activities.
In Summary
The Government of Maharashtra is set to reshape school education by aligning with the goals of NEP 2020. This change promises a more balanced, inclusive, and student-friendly learning experience across the state. From revised textbooks to modern assessment systems, every aspect of education is being upgraded to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Source
Official Circular by School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra, 14 July, 2025: click here to read.
Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per the Maharashtra State Board, Ministry of Education, and Government of India.