Protests by autorickshaw and taxi drivers erupted across Mumbai amid fears of steep fines over the state’s Marathi proficiency requirement. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that drivers need only basic work-related Marathi, while Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik warned action against officials issuing premature fines
Maharashtra RTOs have launched a statewide drive to test the working knowledge of Marathi among taxi and autorickshaw drivers. Those unable to answer a 16-question test satisfactorily will receive one-month notices and face badge suspension if they fail again.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said enforcement will begin against auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers lacking basic Marathi skills after the 105-day learning period ended. Drivers may face notices, licence suspension and eventual cancellation for continued non-compliance
The Maharashtra government will require a domicile certificate for obtaining driving licences from August 1, 2026, subject to approval. It also announced a regulatory framework for bike taxis, including driver verification, safety measures and welfare contributions for operators
Maharashtra has paused immediate licence cancellations for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers over Marathi language compliance, shifting to a training-focused drive from May to August, with surveys planned before stricter enforcement of the mandatory language requirement resumes
