Maharashtra MPSC exams will be held in Marathi: CM Fadnavis
What's the story
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has declared that all competitive exams by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) will henceforth be in Marathi.
The move will come as a relief to Marathi-speaking students who have been at a disadvantage in English-only exams.
The announcement came during a state legislative council session, after Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Milind Narvekar asked why some engineering and agricultural exams were not in Marathi.
Language policy
Court rulings necessitated English for some technical exams
CM Fadnavis clarified that most MPSC exams are already bilingual, but court rulings earlier mandated certain technical ones to be held in English, as Marathi textbooks weren't available.
However, the Maharashtra government is working to ensure their availability for technical subjects.
"Even if textbooks are currently unavailable, the new education policy allows us to conduct engineering courses in Marathi," Fadnavis said.
Regional adaptation
IIT Madras translates 207 technical courses into regional languages
Fadnavis also said a fixed time will be decided with MPSC for these exams to be held in Marathi.
The move is in line with national efforts to promote technical education in regional languages.
IIT Madras, for example, has translated 207 technical courses, including 'Introduction to Internet of Things,' into regional languages.