Maharashtra to Launch Play-Based Curriculum ‘Aadharshila’ for Anganwadis From 2025
Mumbai, 20th May 2025: Maharashtra is gearing up to transform early childhood education with the phased rollout of a new curriculum aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, over one lakh anganwadis across the state will implement the “Aadharshila” framework, aimed at preparing children aged 3 to 6 for formal schooling.
Designed by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and adapted for the state by the Maharashtra SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), Aadharshila introduces a structured, play-based curriculum. Children will progress through three foundational stages—Balvatika 1, 2, and 3—before entering Grade 1 at the age of six.
According to a government resolution (GR) issued on Monday, anganwadi workers and their supervisors will receive new teaching manuals, engaging learning tools, and academic guidelines to ensure effective implementation. Each center will continue to offer essential health services, including regular check-ups, nutrition support, and immunizations under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
“The curriculum is not just academic—it integrates health and nutrition as core components of early childhood development,” a senior official from the state’s school education department stated.
The government has also announced specialized training for anganwadi staff. Those who have passed Class 12 will be eligible for a six-month certification course in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), while others will undergo a one-year diploma. SCERT Maharashtra will be responsible for overseeing the training and curriculum rollout.
While experts welcomed the initiative, some expressed concerns about its execution. Swati Popat Vats, President of the Early Childhood Association, highlighted a key issue: “The curriculum clearly states that a child should be six years old before entering Grade 1. However, the current practice allows children as young as 2.5 years into nursery. There’s an urgent need to align age norms with the policy.”
She also questioned the adequacy of the proposed training. “A six-month certification may not be sufficient for anganwadi workers who play such a crucial role in a child’s formative years. A full-year training programme would be more effective,” Vats suggested.
Pilot implementations will begin in select anganwadis, particularly those located near primary schools. Additionally, all centers will be geo-tagged to improve monitoring and accessibility.
