State revises timetable for Std 1 & 2; Hindi not mandatory
The move comes after backlash over the June 18 circular, prompting the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to roll back many of its earlier changes.
Art and Physical Education, which had seen their annual hours slashed to 81 and 40, respectively, in the earlier version, have now been restored to 122 and 61 hours. Additionally, class session durations have been aligned with National Curriculum Framework (NCF) norms, increased to 45–60 minutes from the previously proposed 35–45 minutes.
Though the state has provided a model weekly timetable, schools retain flexibility in organising the daily order of subjects and start and end times. However, they are not permitted to reduce the total weekly or annual instructional hours.
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The Additional Enrichment Period is not part of the standard timetable but serves as supplementary learning time. Another provision includes 10 designated bagless days annually for experiential learning and reducing academic pressure.
However, concerns remain over the impact of extended school hours. Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals' Association, warned, "With schools operating in two shifts, children may end up leaving as late as 6:45pm. That's too late — especially with city traffic and rural safety concerns after sunset."
The new timetable will be implemented for Std 1 from the academic year 2025–26. For Std 2, the rollout will be contingent on the printing of new textbooks.
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However, she also offers a caveat: users must develop 'language intelligence' — the ability to switch registers and choose the appropriate variety for each context. 'For instance, in an interview for a position in a multinational organisation, a candidate cannot use the hybrid form. This is not masked cultural dominance, this is language intelligence.' Cinema, too, reflects this linguistic reorientation. Nivedita observes that 'while Indian cinema historically used refined Hindi and Urdu to evoke sublimity and emotional catharsis, today's films cater to urban, English-speaking elites.' English remains aspirational, but not just for the urban elite. Its reach now cuts across class lines. 'English is a passport to the world of jobs,' says Satpathy. 'Domestic workers send their children to English-medium schools because they see a reward in learning English.' For many, it is a question of survival, access, and the hope of social mobility. English in India today is no longer foreign. It is code-switched, re-invented, accented, and recontextualised, shaped by those who use it, on their terms. Aishwarya Khosla is a journalist currently serving as Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express. Her writings examine the interplay of culture, identity, and politics. She began her career at the Hindustan Times, where she covered books, theatre, culture, and the Punjabi diaspora. Her editorial expertise spans the Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab and Online desks. She was the recipient of the The Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections, where she studied political campaigns, policy research, political strategy and communications for a year. She pens The Indian Express newsletter, Meanwhile, Back Home. Write to her at or You can follow her on Instagram: @ink_and_ideology, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. ... Read More
