Maharashtra Orders Schools to Drop Misleading “Global” and “International” Labels

Maharashtra education authorities direct schools to stop using “global” or “international” in names unless eligibility is met, to protect parents and students from confusion.

Mumbai, December 20 2025: The Maharashtra education department has issued a clear directive asking schools across the state to stop using terms such as “global” and “international” in their official names unless they genuinely qualify to do so. The move is aimed at preventing parents and students from being misled by branding that suggests international affiliation or curriculum standards which many institutions do not actually offer.

Education officials observed that a growing number of schools affiliated with the state board or operating under local curricula were adopting labels like “international” or “global” in their names. While such terminology often implies foreign curricula, overseas recognition, or international campuses, many of these schools lacked any formal international affiliation. Authorities said this practice creates confusion for parents while making school selection decisions and distorts transparency within the education system.

The directive was issued following a state-level review of school approvals and upgradation proposals, where officials flagged multiple cases of misleading nomenclature. During the review, it was found that some institutions used terms such as “international,” “global,” or even curriculum-specific labels that did not match their actual approvals. As a result, the department decided to enforce stricter scrutiny of school names to ensure that they accurately reflect institutional status and academic affiliation.

Under the new guidelines, schools can only use the term “international” if they have verifiable international credentials. This includes having branches in two or more countries or being affiliated with internationally recognised boards such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge. Schools that do not meet these criteria will be required to revise their names accordingly, both in official records and public communication.

The directive applies to both existing and newly proposed schools. Authorities have already identified several new schools seeking approval that used “international” in their names without meeting eligibility norms. These institutions have been instructed to change their names before receiving clearance. Existing schools will be reviewed during routine inspections, and name corrections may be mandated if discrepancies are found.

Officials also clarified that misuse of curriculum identifiers such as “CBSE” or “English Medium” will not be permitted unless officially approved. Education officers at the district level have been instructed to verify name proposals thoroughly during registration, renewal, and inspection processes to ensure compliance with the updated rules.

Education experts have largely welcomed the decision, calling it a necessary step to bring clarity and accountability into school branding. They argue that names play a critical role in shaping parent expectations, and misleading labels can lead to dissatisfaction when promised standards do not match classroom reality. Clearer naming norms, they say, will help parents make informed choices and encourage schools to focus on quality education rather than marketing appeal.

Parents, too, have responded positively to the announcement, noting that terms like “international” often create assumptions about global exposure, teaching methodology, and curriculum standards. With the new directive in place, families are expected to benefit from more transparent information while evaluating schools for their children.

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