Created by Startupoffices
Last edited March 7, 2026
Ministry of Marathi Language, Government of Maharashtra
मंत्रालय मराठी भाषा विभाग, महाराष्ट्र शासन

Building of Administrative Headquarters of Mumbai
Ministry overview
JurisdictionIndia Republic of India
HeadquartersMantralay, Mumbai
Minister responsible
Deputy Minister responsible
  • since 29 June 2022
Ministry executive
  • Tukaram Mundhe, IAS
Parent departmentGovernment of Maharashtra
Child agencies
  • Rajya Marathi Vikas Sanstha [1]
  • Bhasha Sanchnalay
Websitemarathi.gov.in

Office[edit | edit source]

  • Minister of Marathi Language
  • मंत्री मराठी भाषा विभाग
Incumbent
Uday Samant

since 21 December 2024
Ministry of Marathi Language (Maharashtra)
StyleThe Honourable
Member ofState Cabinet
Reports to
SeatMantralaya, Mumbai
AppointerGovernor on the advice of the Chief Minister
Term length5 years
Precursor
Inaugural holder
  • Niramala Raje Bhosale
  • (1960-1962)
Formation1 May 1960
DeputyVacant since 29 June 2022

The Ministry of Marathi Language is a ministry in government of Maharashtra. Ministry is responsible for the promotion of Marathi language in India as well as abroad. Deepak Kesarkar is current Minister for Marathi Language. Language department offers free Marathi classes to non-Marathi speakers living in Maharashtra.

Departments[edit | edit source]

Ministry of Marathi Language has one key department - Marathi Bhasha Vibhag (Marathi language department). Separate administrative department was established in 2010.[2]

Child agencies[edit | edit source]

  • Rajya Marathi Vikas Sanstha (State Institute for Marathi Development)[3]
  • Maharashtra Rajy Vishawakosh Nirmiti Mandal[4]
  • Maharashtra Rajya Sahitya aani Sankriti Mandal[5]
  • Bhasha Sanchanalay (Language Directorate)[6]

Marathi language[edit | edit source]

Marathi is one of the biggest language in the world.

Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken predominantly by around 83 million Marathi people of Maharashtra, India. It is the official language and co-official language in the Maharashtra and Goa states of Western India, respectively and is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. With 83 million speakers as 2011, Marathi ranks 10th in the list of languages with most native speakers in the world. Marathi has the third largest number of native speakers in India, after Hindi and Bengali.[7] The language has some of the oldest literature of all modern Indian languages, dating from around 600 AD.[8] The major dialects of Marathi are Standard Marathi and the Varhadi dialect.[9] The Koli languages (Kachi Koli, Parkari Koli and Wadiyara Koli), Agri and Malvani Konkani have been heavily influenced by Marathi varieties.

Achieving classical language status[edit | edit source]

In 2004, the Government of India declared that languages that met certain requirements could be accorded the status of a "Classical Language" of India.[10] The Marathi ministry has submitted an application to the Government of India to grant classical language status to Marathi.[11][12] The Government of India is considering the request.[13][14][15]

Initiatives and activities[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Various awards are given to exceptional people in the field of Marathi language.

  • Yashwantrao Chavan Award[16]
  • Vi. Da. Karandikar Lifetime Achievement Award : Trophy and cash prize of ₹5,00,000[17]
  • P. Bhagawat Award : Trophy and cash prize of ₹3,00,000[18]
  • Bhasha Sanvardhan (Language Promotion) : Two cash prize awards of ₹1,00,000[19]

Marathi language day[edit | edit source]

Marathi Language Day (मराठी दिन/मराठी दिवस transl. Marathi Dina/Marathi Diwasa) is celebrated on 27 February every year across the Indian states of Maharashtra and Goa. This day is regulated by the Ministry of Marathi language. It is celebrated on the Birthday of eminent Marathi Poet Vi. Va. Shirwadkar, popularly known as Kusumagraj.[20][21]

Essay competitions and seminars are arranged in schools and colleges, and government officials are asked to conduct various events.[22]

Use of Marathi in government offices[edit | edit source]

Ministry made it compulsory to use Marathi language in all Government of Maharashtra offices.[23][24]

Marathi in schools[edit | edit source]

The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 was proposed by the Marathi ministry and passed by the Government of Maharashtra unanimously. Marathi language classes are mandatory in all schools of Maharashtra.[25][26][27]

International collaboration[edit | edit source]

Internationalization efforts started in 2021 to engage international Marathi diaspora. Department launched various initiatives to popularize Marathi language outside India. US Consul General was felicitated for promoting US based organizations working in Marathi language.[28]

Cabinet Ministers[edit | edit source]

No. Portrait Minister

(Constituency)

Term of office Political party Ministry Chief Minister
From To Period
Minister of Marathi Language
01 Vasantrao Naik

(MLA for Pusad Constituency No. 81-
Yavatmal District)
(Legislative Assembly)

01 May
1960

07 March
1962

1 year, 310 days Indian National Congress Yashwantrao I
Yashwantrao Chavan
02 Nirmala Raje Bhosale

(MLA for Satara Constituency No. 268-
Satara District)
(Legislative Assembly)

08 March
1962

19 November
1962

256 days Indian National Congress Yashwantrao II
03 Madhukar Dhanaji Chaudhari

(MLA for Raver Constituency No. 11-
Jalgaon District)
(Legislative Assembly)

20 November
1962

24 November
1963

1 year, 4 days Indian National Congress Kannamwar l Marotrao Kannamwar
04 Parashuram Krishnaji Sawant

(MLA for Chiplun Constituency No. 265-
Ratnagiri District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Interim Chief Minister)

25 November
1962

04 December
1963

9 days Indian National Congress Sawant Parashuram Krishnaji Sawant
05 Sadashiv Govind Barve

(MLA for Shivajinagar Constituency No. 209-
Pune District)
(Legislative Assembly)

05 December
1963

01 March
1967

3 years, 86 days Indian National Congress Vasantrao I
Vasantrao Naik
06 Balasaheb Desai

(MLA for Patan Constituency No. 261-
Satara District)
(Legislative Assembly)

01 March
1967

27 October
1969

2 years, 240 days Indian National Congress Vasantrao II
07 Pratibha Patil

(MLA for Jalgaon City Constituency No. 13-
Jalgaon District)
(Legislative Assembly)

27 October
1969

13 March
1972

2 years, 138 days Indian National Congress
08 Vasantrao Patil

(MLC for Elected by MLAs Constituency No. 20 -
Sangli District)
(Legislative Council)

13 March
1972

04 April
1973

1 year, 32 days Indian National Congress Vasantrao III
09 Narendra Mahipati Tidke

(MLA for Savner Constituency No. 49-
Nagpur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

04 April
1973

17 Match
1974

347 days Indian National Congress
10 Hari Govindrao Vartak

(MLA for Bassein-Vasai Constituency No. 180-
Palghar District
(Legislative Assembly)

17 Match
1974

21 February
1975

341 days Indian National Congress
11 Shankarrao Chavan

(MLA for Bhokar Constituency No. 85-
Nanded District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Chief Minister)

21 February
1975

16 April
1977

2 years, 54 days Indian National Congress Shankarrao I
Shankarrao Chavan
12 Nashikrao Tirpude

(MLA for Bhandara Constituency No. 61-
Bhandara District)
(Legislative Assembly)

17 April
1977

07 March
1978

1 year, 324 days Indian National Congress Vasantdada I
Vasantdada Patil
13 Prabha Rau

(MLA for Pulgaon Constituency No. 41-
Wardha District)
(Legislative Assembly)

07 March
1978

18 July
1978

133 days Indian National Congress (Indira) Vasantdada II
14 Ganpatrao Deshmukh

(MLA for Sangola Constituency No. 235-
Solapur District
(Legislative Assembly)

18 July
1978

19 November
1979

1 year, 124 days Peasants and Workers Party of India Pawar I
Sharad Pawar
15 Babasaheb Bhosale

(MLA for Nehrunagar Constituency No. 172-
Mumbai Suburban District)
(Legislative Assembly)

09 June
1980

21 January
1982

1 year, 226 days Indian National Congress Antulay
Abdul Rahman Antulay
16 Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar

(MLA for Nilanga Constituency No. 238-
Latur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

21 January
1982

02 February
1983

1 year, 12 days Indian National Congress Bhosale
Babasaheb Bhosale
17 Prataprao Baburao Bhosale

(MLA for Wai Constituency No. 256-
Satara District)
(Legislative Assembly)

07 February
1983

05 March
1985

2 years, 26 days Indian National Congress Vasantdada III
Vasantdada Patil
18 Sudhakarrao Naik

(MLA for Pusad Constituency No. 81-
Yavatmal District)
(Legislative Assembly)

12 March
1985

03 June
1985

83 days Indian National Congress Vasantdada IV
19 Jawaharlal Darda

(MLC for Elected by MLAs Constituency No. 19 -
Yavatmal District)
(Legislative Council)

03 June
1985

12 March
1986

282 days Indian National Congress Nilangekar Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar
20 Sushilkumar Shinde

(MLA for Solapur City Central Constituency No. 249-
Solapur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

12 March
1986

26 June
1988

2 years, 106 days Indian National Congress Shankarrao II
Shankarrao Chavan
21 Narendra Marutrao Kamble

(MLC for Elected by Governor Nominated No. 10 -
Mumbai City District)
(Legislative Council)

26 June
1988

03 March
1990

1 year, 250 days Indian National Congress Pawar II
Sharad Pawar
22 Surupsingh Hirya Naik

(MLA for Navapur Constituency No. 04-
Nandurbar District)
(Legislative Assembly)

03 March
1990

25 June
1991

1 year, 114 days Indian National Congress Pawar III
23 Shivajirao Deshmukh

(MLC for Elected by MLAs Constituency No. 18 -
Sangli District)
(Legislative Council)

25 June
1991

22 February
1993

1 year, 242 days Indian National Congress Sudhakarrao Sudhakarrao Naik
24 Vilasrao Deshmukh

(MLA for Latur City Constituency No. 235-
Latur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

06 March
1993

18 November
1994

1 year, 257 days Indian National Congress Pawar IV
Sharad Pawar
25 Babanrao Gholap

(MLA for Deolali Constituency No. 126-
Pune District)
(Legislative Assembly)

14 March
1995

01 February
1999

3 years, 324 days Shiv Sena Joshi
Manohar Joshi
26 Pramod Navalkar

(MLC for Mumbai Graduates Constituency No. 06 -
Mumbai City District)
(Legislative Council)

01 February
1999

11 May
1999

99 days Shiv Sena Rane
Narayan Rane
27 Sureshdada Jain

(MLA for Jalgaon City Constituency No. 13-
Jalgaon District
(Legislative Assembly)

11 May
1999

17 October
1999

159 days Shiv Sena
28 Vilasrao Deshmukh

(MLA for Latur City Constituency No. 235-
Latur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Chief Minister)

19 October
1999

27 October
1999

8 days Indian National Congress Deshmukh I
Vilasrao Deshmukh
29 Ramkrishna More

(MLA for Khed Constituency No. 219-
Pune District)
(Legislative Assembly)

27 October
1999

16 January
2003

3 years, 81 days Indian National Congress
30 Ashok Chavan

(MLA for Mudkhed Constituency No. 85-
Nanded District)
(Legislative Assembly)

18 January
2003

01 November
2004

1 year, 295 days Indian National Congress Sushilkumar
Sushilkumar Shinde
31 Vilasrao Deshmukh

(MLA for Latur City Constituency No. 235-
Latur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Chief Minister)

01 November
2004

09 November
2004

8 days Indian National Congress Deshmukh II
Vilasrao Deshmukh
32 Ashok Chavan

(MLA for Mudkhed Constituency No. 85-
Nanded District)
(Legislative Assembly)

09 November
2004

01 December
2008

4 years, 22 days Indian National Congress
33 Vijaykumar Krishnarao Gavit

(MLA for Nandurbar Constituency No. 03-
Nandurbar District)
(Legislative Assembly)

08 December
2008

06 November
2009

333 days Nationalist Congress Party Ashok I
Ashok Chavan
34 Balasaheb Thorat

(MLA for Sangamner Constituency No. 217-
Ahmednagar District)
(Legislative Assembly)

07 November
2009

10 November
2010

1 year, 3 days Indian National Congress Ashok II
35 Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil

(MLA for Shirdi Constituency No. 218-
Ahmednagar District)
(Legislative Assembly)

11 November
2010

26 September
2014

3 years, 319 days Indian National Congress Prithviraj
Prithviraj Chavan
36 Vinod Tawde

(MLA for Borivali Constituency No. 152-
Mumbai Suburban District
(Legislative Assembly)

31 October
2014

12 November
2019

5 years, 12 days Bharatiya Janata Party Fadnavis I
Devendra Fadnavis
37 Devendra Fadnavis

(MLA for Nagpur South West Constituency No. 52-
Nagpur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Chief_Minister)
In Charge

23 November
2019

28 November
2019

5 days Bharatiya Janata Party Fadnavis II
38 Subhash Desai

(MLC for Elected by MLAs Constituency No. 09 -
Mumbai Suburban District)
(Legislative Council)

28 November
2019

30 December
2019

32 days Shiv Sena Thackeray
Uddhav Thackeray
39 Subhash Desai

(MLC for Elected by MLAs Constituency No. 09 -
Mumbai Suburban District)
(Legislative Council)

30 December
2019

29 June
2022

2 years, 181 days Shiv Sena
40 Eknath Shinde

(MLA for Kopri-Pachpakhadi Constituency No. 147-
Thane District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Chief Minister)
In Charge

30 June
2022

14 August
2022

45 days Shiv Sena (2022–present) Eknath
Eknath Shinde
41 Deepak Vasant Kesarkar

(MLA for Sawantwadi Constituency No. 270-
Sindhudurg District)
(Legislative Assembly)

14 August
2022

26 November
2024

2 years, 135 days Shiv Sena (2022–present)
42 Devendra Fadnavis

(MLA for Nagpur South West Constituency No. 52-
Nagpur District)
(Legislative Assembly)

(Chief_Minister)
In Charge

05 December
2024

21 December
2024

16 days Bharatiya Janata Party Fadnavis III
Devendra Fadnavis
43 Uday Samant

(MLA for Ratnagiri Constituency No. 266-
Ratnagiri District
(Legislative Assembly)

21 December
2024

Incumbent 1 year, 265 days Shiv Sena (Shinde Group)

Ministers of State[edit | edit source]

No. Portrait Deputy Minister

(Constituency)

Term of office Political party Ministry Minister Chief Minister
From To Period
Deputy Minister of Marathi Language
Vacant

23 November
2019

28 November
2019

5 days NA Fadnavis II Devendra Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis
01 Vishwajeet Kadam

(MLA for Palus-Kadegaon Constituency No. 285-
Sangli District)
(Legislative Assembly)

30 December
2019

29 June
2022

2 years, 181 days Indian National Congress Thackeray Subhash Desai
Uddhav Thackeray
Vacant

30 June
2022

26 November
2024

2 years, 149 days NA Eknath
Eknath Shinde
Vacant

21 December
2024

incumbent 1 year, 265 days NA Fadnavis III Uday Samant
(2024 – Present)

Devendra Fadnavis

List of principal secretaries[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "राज्य मराठी विकास संस्था". मराठी भाषा विभाग. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  2. ↑ "मराठी भाषा विभागाविषयी." मराठी भाषा विभाग. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  3. ↑ "राज्य मराठी विकास संस्था". राज्य मराठी विकास संस्था (in मराठी). Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  4. ↑ "मराठी विश्वकोश". मराठी विश्वकोश (in मराठी). Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  5. ↑ "महाराष्ट्र राज्य साहित्य आणि संस्कृती मंडळ". महाराष्ट्र राज्य साहित्य आणि संस्कृती मंडळ (in मराठी). Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  6. ↑ "भाषा संचालनालय, महाराष्ट्र राज्य". भाषा संचालनालय, महाराष्ट्र राज्य (in मराठी). Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  7. ↑ "Abstract of Language Strength in India: 2011 Census" (PDF). Censusindia.gov.in.
  8. ↑ "arts, South Asian". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica 2007 Ultimate Reference Suite.
  9. ↑ Dhoṅgaḍe, Rameśa; Wali, Kashi (2009). "Marathi". London Oriental and African Language Library. 13. John Benjamins Publishing Company: 101, 139. ISBN 9789027238139.
  10. ↑ "India sets up classical languages". BBC. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
  11. ↑ "Marathi may become the sixth classical language". Indian Express. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  12. ↑ Vyas, Sharad (2019-12-25). "Uddhav Thackeray writes to PM, seeks classical language status for Marathi". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  13. ↑ "Classical language status to Marathi under consideration: Culture Minister". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  14. ↑ "Classical language status to Marathi under 'active consideration': Government". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  15. ↑ PTI (2015-01-31). "Marathi to get Classical Language status soon". www.oneindia.com. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  16. ↑ "स्व. यशवंतराव चव्हाण राज्य वाङ्मय पुरस्कार". मराठी भाषा विभाग. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  17. ↑ "विंदा करंदीकर जीवन गौरव पुरस्कार". मराठी भाषा विभाग. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  18. ↑ "श्री. पु. भागवत पुरस्कार". मराठी भाषा विभाग. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  19. ↑ "भाषा संवर्धक पुरस्कार". मराठी भाषा विभाग. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  20. ↑ "मराठी भाषा दिवस - २७ फेब्रुवारी". MarathiMati.com. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "jagatik Marathi bhasha din celebration - divyamarathi.bhaskar.com". divyabhaskar. 27 February 2012. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "आम्ही मराठीचे शिलेदार!". Loksatta. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Use of Marathi as official language in government work mandatory: Maharashtra Government". Mumbai Live. July 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  24. ↑ "Maharashtra govt issues notification on the use of Marathi as official language in govt businesses". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  25. ↑ "Maha plans law to make Marathi a must in all schools". Hindustan Times. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  26. ↑ Kamlesh Sutar (February 27, 2020). "Maharashtra Assembly passes law making Marathi language compulsory for all schools". India Today. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  27. ↑ Deshpande, Tanvi (2020-02-27). "Council passes Bill making Marathi compulsory in schools". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  28. ↑ "Mumbai: US Consulate General representatives promoting Marathi felicitated". Mumbai Live. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-15.

External links[edit | edit source]