Maharashtra State Minister Udaj Samant. | Photo credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
To avoid a major flashpoint over the trilingual issue, the Maharashtra government has announced the cancellation of the Hindi exam for its employees. The government was forced to cancel the exam for its civil servants and non-gazetted employees following a public outcry over the matter. This decision was announced by Maharashtra State Minister Udaj Samant. The exam was scheduled to be held on June 28 at four centers across Maharashtra.
He also said that the government will review the 1976 rule regarding conducting such examinations in Hindi as part of the tri-language policy.
Marathi-language groups welcomed the government’s decision but demanded that the rule and the exam be scrapped altogether. “What is the need of government employees in Maharashtra to take exams in Hindi when government proceedings are in Marathi? Is such a rule applicable in other states? We will not leave this issue until the government decides to abolish this rule completely,” said Deepak Pawar.
Uday Samant told The Hindu that the government will take a decision after the review process is complete.
Regional political parties and language groups opposed the government’s decision after the exam notice was published on Wednesday (May 6, 2026). The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena threatened not to hold the exam.
The government had earlier said that the rule in question was part of the tri-language policy adopted by the state more than 50 years ago. The exams are held as per the rule of 1976. It is held twice a year and is compulsory for all government employees who have not studied Hindi till 10th standard. Every year more than 2000-2500 employees and officers appear for the exam.
Published – 07 May 2026 19:43 IST
