Maharashtra to Regulate Pre-Primary Education with New Law Aligned to NEP 2020

The Maharashtra government has announced that all private kindergartens and anganwadis in the state will soon come under a formal regulatory framework. This development aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends bringing children aged three to six into the formal education system.

School Education Minister Dada Bhuse confirmed that a new legislation is currently being drafted and will soon be tabled in the state assembly. “We are working on a comprehensive law to mainstream pre-primary education. The draft has been sent to the law and judiciary department for review,” said Bhuse on Wednesday.

Until now, formal schooling in India officially began at age six. However, NEP 2020 proposes an expanded foundational stage covering ages 3 to 8. To facilitate this transition, the state has introduced two digital platforms—the Maha School GIS Mobile App and the Pre-School Registration Portal—launched virtually by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

These platforms aim to create a unified data repository of all pre-primary institutions, including anganwadis and privately-run kindergartens, offering early childhood care and education (ECCE). The move will help in mapping facilities, teacher qualifications, student enrolment, and overall infrastructure. The registration process can be accessed through the ECCE tab on the official website: education.maharashtra.gov.in.

Why This Registration Drive Matters:

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• Centralised data for policy planning and resource allocation.

• Transparency for parents seeking quality ECCE centres.

• Improved monitoring of facilities and staff qualifications.

• Accurate workforce estimation in the pre-primary education sector.

As India moves forward with implementing NEP 2020, Maharashtra’s decision could become a model for other states. By formalising pre-primary education, the government aims to ensure equal access, quality control, and early learning preparedness.