NEP 2020: Maharashtra to adopt CBSE curriculum from 2025-26 academic session—details on classes, books here

The Maharashtra government has decided to adopt the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum starting from the 2025-26 academic year. State School Education Minister Dada Bhuse has announced that the CBSE curriculum will be implemented in all state schools from Class 1 to Class 12.

The transition will be carried out under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Bhuse said the CBSE pattern will be implemented in two phases in the state.

Currently, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) conducts exams for Class X (SSC or Secondary School Certificate) and Class XII (HSC or Higher Secondary Certificate).

In the first phase, the CBSE pattern will be implemented in Standard 1. In the following year, teachers and education officers will be trained for the CBSE curriculum, he added.

Next year, he added that the CBSE pattern will be adopted in the remaining Standards in two phases.

The state education minister also asserted that while adopting the CBSE pattern, it will be ensured that Maharashtra's history, geography and Marathi language will be a part of the curriculum.

Citing concerns over the adoption of the CBSE curriculum, NCP (SP) working president and Baramati Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule wrote a letter to Bhuse, saying it is very painful that the state is adopting the CBSE board over SSC.

She also claimed that the government's move was detrimental to the Marathi language and culture.

She also said parents should be given the option to choose between different boards that are available, including the state's SSC, and raised concerns about whether the CBSE pattern will be able to do justice to the state's history and language.

During a statement in both houses of the state legislature on Monday, Bhuse said the new curriculum will come into force for Standard 1 from 2025 and cover all the classes till 12th in 2028.

“In 2026, Standards 2, 3, 4 and 6th will be covered, while 2027 will cover Standards 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th. In 2028, 8th, 10th and 12th will be covered,” he said.

NEP 2020: New Text Books

Bhuse added that the work on producing Class I textbooks according to the new curriculum is in progress, and Balbharti has been entrusted with the task of making necessary changes in the state education board's curriculum.

“The new curriculum will focus on continuous and comprehensive evaluation, not just final examinations. It will help the students develop soft skills and will help to disseminate quality education. The CBSE curriculum will help students better prepare for competitive examinations,” he said.

The minister also said BalBharati's new textbooks, which focus on technology, will give students practical knowledge.