Decline in Marathi Proficiency: Over 94,000 Students Fail Native Language Paper in Class 10 Exams

Despite Marathi being mandatory in schools, Class 10 results reveal a concerning trend as 94,544 students failed the subject, contrasting sharply with the 100% success rate seen in Gujarati language.

THANE | 09 May, 2026: The recent announcement of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination results has sparked a heated debate over the declining proficiency in the Marathi language within its home state. Despite the state government’s mandate making Marathi compulsory up to Class 12 and the language recently receiving “Classical Language” status from the Central Government, the academic data paints a grim picture. Out of the approximately 16 lakh students who appeared for the board exams, a staggering 94,544 students failed in Marathi, bringing the subject’s pass percentage to 92.57%.

This performance stands in stark contrast to other languages offered by the same board. For instance, the Gujarati language recorded a perfect 100% result, while Sanskrit and Arabic saw success rates of 99.21% and 99.59%, respectively. The statistics indicate a sharp rise in failures compared to the previous year; in 2025, the number of students failing Marathi as a first language was significantly lower at 9,486. This year, the failure count has surged nearly tenfold, raising urgent questions about the effectiveness of current teaching methodologies and the engagement levels of students with their mother tongue.

A closer look at the data reveals that among the 10,87,699 students who took Marathi as their “First Language,” 80,803 failed representing a failure rate of nearly 8%. Additionally, among those who opted for Marathi as a second or third language, another 13,741 students were unsuccessful. Educational experts and linguists are now calling for a review of the Marathi language policy, suggesting that while legal mandates ensure the subject is taught, they do not necessarily guarantee mastery or interest.

While 12 out of 35 subjects offered by the board achieved a 100% success rate, the lag in the state’s official language is being viewed as a significant academic setback. The results have prompted calls from various educational sectors to strengthen the pedagogy of Marathi in schools to ensure that the “Classical Language” status translates into actual linguistic competence among the youth of Maharashtra.

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