Bilingual Engineering Diploma Courses Gain Ground in Maharashtra, 42% Students Opt In

The push for bilingual education in technical schools is picking up steam in Maharashtra, with nearly 42% of engineering diploma students now in programmes that teach in both Marathi and English. The thing is, the MSBTE launched this model in 2023 - 24, and it's starting to make a real difference. A few students still get confused when switching between languages - so there's a little adjustment needed.

DTE data shows about 45,444 students out of 1,07,910 enrolled in 2025, 26 are taking classes with Marathi and English instruction. The number of schools offering this mix has gone from 175 out of 388 back then to 192 out of 416 now - pretty solid growth. That shift matters because more schools mean more kids can access it.

Students learn concepts in marathi first, then gradually pick up technical English. It helps those from Marathi homes who struggle with English-only lectures. They understand better when they hear things in their own tongue - plus, writing exams in either language gives them a safer path to success. Officials say confidence goes up when students don't have to fight the language barrier every time they study.

The National Education Policy 2020 supports mother-tongue-based learning, Mainly in foundational and technical education. MSBTE has created Marathi textbooks and study materials for all 154 diploma subjects, giving students access to standardized content.

Classroom engagement has improved. Students ask more questions and grasp concepts better. Since diploma courses focus on skills, clear explanations matter more than fluency. Placement outcomes show no disadvantage.