The Maharashtra government's extension of the Marathi language requirement deadline for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers now includes those working with ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. The amendments to the 1989 Motor Vehicles Rules emphasize the necessity of practical Marathi for drivers in commercial passenger transport.
In an update on Wednesday, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that the Maharashtra government's decision to mandate a basic knowledge of Marathi for all licensed taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, initially set for May 1, has been extended until August 15. This extension now applies to drivers working with ride-hailing services such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido, according to The Indian Express.
On April 14, the state government made this requirement official; however, on April 29, it deferred the implementation of the decision until August 15. Sarnaik had previously stated that licenses of drivers who fail to pass a Marathi language test would be cancelled from August 16.
The amendments to the 1989 Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, which make working knowledge of Marathi a requirement for authorisations related to commercial passenger transport, including permits and permit renewals, further underscore this point. Sarnaik explained that these amendments aim to eliminate ambiguities in the rules and highlight the importance of practical Marathi for drivers engaged in passenger transport.
In 2025, several attacks were reported in Maharashtra on persons for not speaking or allegedly insulting Marathi.
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