Bihar Schools to Introduce Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Four Other Regional Languages from 2027

The Bihar government has decided to introduce regional languages in the primary school curriculum from the next academic session, beginning in 2027. Under the initiative, students of Classes 1 and 2 in government-run schools will study one regional language based on the state's linguistic diversity.

The initiative will cover six regional languages: Bhojpuri, Magahi, Surjapuri, Bajjika, Maithili and Angika. Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwary announced the decision, stating that the move aims to strengthen mother-tongue-based education at the foundational level in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Bihar, has been assigned the responsibility of developing textbooks in these six languages. The learning materials are being prepared with the participation of teachers and language experts.According to the announcement, the initiative will initially cover Classes 1 and 2 across state-run schools. The government also plans to extend the programme to Classes 3 to 5 in a subsequent phase.

Bihar Regional Languages in Schools: Check the Six Languages

SCERT will prepare textbooks in the following six regional languages for primary school students:

These textbooks will help children learn through languages they are familiar with in their homes and communities. The content is being developed in consultation with teachers and experts to make the material suitable for young learners.

SCERT Begins Preparing Regional Language Textbooks

SCERT Director Yatendra Kumar Pal has confirmed that the council has started developing textbooks in all six regional languages for Classes 1 and 2.The textbook preparation process involves teachers and experts who have knowledge of the respective languages. SCERT has also organised a workshop to discuss and finalise the learning material. Two additional workshops are planned as part of the content-development process.

Jainendra Kumar Dost, an SCERT lecturer coordinating the workshops, said the initiative is intended to help children acquire knowledge through familiar regional languages and connect more naturally with the school environment.The textbooks are expected to be introduced from the next academic session.

Bihar Plans to Extend Regional Language Education to Classes 3 to 5

The state government intends to expand the programme beyond the initial two classes. According to Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwary, students of Classes 3, 4 and 5 will also be covered in a subsequent phase.

SCERT will develop textbooks for these grades in the selected regional languages. However, a specific implementation date for the expansion has not yet been announced.The proposed expansion is expected to increase access to regional-language learning materials across the primary education system.

Bihar Regional Language Initiative and NEP 2020

The decision is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages the use of children's home languages, mother tongues and regional languages in early education.Under Paragraph 4.11 of NEP 2020, the policy recommends that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction should be the home language, mother tongue or local or regional language until at least Grade 5, and preferably until Grade 8 and beyond.

The Ministry of Education reiterated this approach in a July 2026 press release, highlighting the importance of mother-tongue-based education in improving children's understanding and participation in classrooms.The Bihar initiative is also linked to the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, which emphasises the importance of using familiar languages to develop foundational literacy and learning abilities.

How Will Regional Language Education Benefit Students?

Introducing familiar regional languages into early classroom learning is expected to help children connect their home environment with school education.

The initiative aims to:

• Make foundational learning more accessible through familiar languages.
• Improve children's participation in classroom activities.
• Help students understand concepts more naturally.
• Strengthen connections with local culture, traditions and festivals.
• Promote the preservation of Bihar's regional languages.
• Build confidence among children during their initial years of schooling.

According to SCERT representatives, the programme will also provide students opportunities to learn about their local surroundings, including agriculture, occupations, festivals and cultural practices.