Maharashtra Overhauls School Curriculum With Coding From Class 6 And Life Skills Focus

The Maharashtra government has launched a major education reform, and the main keyword “Maharashtra school curriculum overhaul” reflects the shift. Coding from Class 6, life skills training and application based learning will now become central pillars across state board schools, marking a significant modernisation of classroom instruction.

The update aims to align students with future job markets, strengthen foundational competencies and reduce rote learning. The rollout impacts millions of students, thousands of teachers and the long term direction of the state’s academic framework.

Why Maharashtra is revising its school curriculum

Maharashtra’s curriculum reform is driven by the need to prepare students for an economy reshaped by technology, digital services and applied problem solving. Government reviews highlighted gaps in computational thinking, critical reasoning and effective communication among school students.
With global education systems moving toward competency based learning, the state wants to push beyond textbook memorisation. The revised structure integrates practical exposure, digital literacy and multidisciplinary learning. Coding skills from Class 6 introduce children to structured thinking, algorithm basics and logical sequencing that support higher learning in mathematics and sciences.

Coding and digital literacy as core subjects

Under “coding introduction in schools”, students from Class 6 onwards will receive structured lessons covering basics of programming, block based coding, simple algorithm design and introductory problem solving exercises. By Classes 8 and 9, the curriculum expands to include basic scripting, data handling concepts and foundational web understanding.
The objective is not to turn every student into a programmer but to build computational thinking early. Teachers will undergo specialised training to deliver the updated content. The state will also equip schools with digital labs, shared devices and blended learning modules to support practical sessions. This move brings state board students closer to national and international digital literacy benchmarks.

Life skills and value based learning take centre stage

Under “life skills curriculum expansion”, Maharashtra is embedding communication, teamwork, mental wellbeing, financial basics, civic literacy and decision making into timetabled instruction. The life skills component aims to equip students with practical abilities that influence long term personal and professional success.
Sessions will include scenario based activities, group discussions, conflict resolution exercises and community linked projects. Educators will emphasise interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, stress management and responsible online behaviour. Financial basics such as budgeting, saving and digital payments will also be introduced in age appropriate formats.

Reducing rote learning and improving assessment methods

Under “assessment reform and academic integration”, the state plans to move towards continuous evaluation rather than high pressure examinations. Assessments will test understanding, application and reasoning instead of direct recall.
The updated framework encourages teachers to use project based learning, open ended assignments and real world problem solving tasks. Lesson plans will include multidisciplinary links, such as combining environmental studies with mathematics for data interpretation or integrating art with science for design tasks. This holistic approach aims to make learning more meaningful and reduce academic stress.

How teachers and schools will transition to the new system

Teacher training institutes will conduct large scale upskilling programmes focused on digital tools, coding instruction, classroom facilitation and life skills delivery. Many teachers who previously specialised in textbook led pedagogy will receive blended training through workshops, online modules and peer guided sessions.
Infrastructure upgrades will include computer labs, improved internet connectivity, AV enabled classrooms and learning management systems. Schools in rural areas will receive additional support to close digital access gaps. The government also plans periodic audits to ensure uniform adoption across districts.

Benefits expected from the curriculum overhaul

Students are expected to develop stronger analytical thinking, better communication abilities and readiness for future academic pursuits. Coding teaches structure and logic, while life skills build confidence and adaptability.
The curriculum aims to reduce inequalities between urban and rural students by standardising digital exposure. Over time, the reform is expected to strengthen the employability pipeline, support innovation oriented learning and better align the state’s education system with national curriculum frameworks.

Implementation challenges and what lies ahead

Successful rollout depends on training quality, infrastructure readiness and classroom adoption. Rural connectivity gaps, teacher workload concerns and varying school capacities may slow implementation in the early phase.
Monitoring, ongoing teacher support and iterative updates will be essential. The state will evaluate feedback from educators, parents and students to refine processes. As the first phase rolls out, policymakers will track student outcomes and adjust content depth where required.

Takeaways

• Coding begins from Class 6 to build computational thinking and digital literacy.
• Life skills gain priority with communication, wellbeing, financial basics and civic values integrated into regular lessons.
• Rote learning reduced through application driven assessments and project based approaches.
• Teacher training crucial as schools upgrade infrastructure and transition to modern pedagogy.

FAQs

Q: Why is Maharashtra adding coding from Class 6?
A: To build early computational thinking and prepare students for a digital economy where structured problem solving is essential.

Q: What life skills will students learn?
A: Communication, teamwork, emotional wellbeing, financial basics, civic responsibility, decision making and responsible digital behaviour.

Q: Will exams be removed under the new curriculum?
A: Exams will continue but with a greater focus on understanding and applied learning instead of recall based questioning.

Q: How will schools handle infrastructure gaps?
A: The state will provide digital labs, teacher training and phased support, prioritising rural and resource constrained schools.