The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially incorporated Maithili into its curriculum starting from the 2026-27 academic session. This decision has been warmly welcomed by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who described it as a historic step for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity of the Mithila region.
Implementation Details
The rollout of the Maithili curriculum will commence on July 1, 2026. Students from Class I up to the secondary level will have the opportunity to study Maithili, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes mother tongue-based learning.
This decision was confirmed through an official communication from Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary to Darbhanga MP Gopal Ji Thakur. In a letter dated May 19, 2026, Minister Chaudhary stated that CBSE had completed all formal processes required for the inclusion of Maithili in its curriculum. He stressed the importance of providing students a structured opportunity to study their mother tongue.
Curriculum Availability
The updated curriculum has already been uploaded on the CBSE Academic website, enabling schools to begin planning for its implementation. This move is expected to facilitate a smooth transition for educational institutions in integrating Maithili into their teaching schedules.
Significance for Mithila Region
For the Mithila region, this decision represents a major recognition of linguistic identity. Maithili is the only Bihari language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Its inclusion in mainstream national education has been a long-standing demand of Maithili speakers. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary emphasized that this step would help preserve Mithila's rich heritage through education and connect future generations with their roots.
Political Reactions
Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar termed the decision “epoch-making,” stating that Maithili is not merely a language but also a carrier of Mithila’s culture, tradition, and heritage. BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi described the inclusion as recognition of Mithila’s cultural wealth and the sentiments of crores of Maithili-speaking people. He called it a historic step towards securing a dignified place for the language in the education system.
This development is being viewed as a significant milestone for linguistic diversity and cultural preservation in India, particularly for the Maithili-speaking community.
