Maharashtra Launches ‘Aadharshila’ Curriculum for 1 Lakh Anganwadis, Targeting School Readiness for 30 Lakh Children

 In a transformative move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Maharashtra is set to introduce a new early childhood education curriculum named Aadharshila, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The curriculum will be rolled out across more than 1 lakh anganwadis, reaching nearly 30 lakh children aged 3 to 6 years across the state, marking a significant milestone in early learning and foundational education.

Aadharshila: A Structured, Play-Based Curriculum

The Aadharshila curriculum has been developed by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and localized for Maharashtra by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). It is designed to ensure school readiness by age six, focusing on:

• Age-appropriate learning outcomes
• Developmentally aligned stages
• Outcome-oriented, play-based activities

The curriculum is organized into three structured levels:

• Aadharshila Balvatika 1 (for age 3)
• Balvatika 2 (for age 4)
• Balvatika 3 (for age 5)
   

These levels help gradually prepare children for entry into formal schooling, supporting both academic and developmental milestones through structured play, storytelling, art, music, and guided social interaction.

Anganwadi Workers to Play Key Academic Role

With the academic shift introduced through Aadharshila, anganwadi workers will take on expanded educational responsibilities. To prepare them, SCERT will provide in-service training, ensuring workers are equipped to deliver academic content effectively in addition to their existing duties in:

• Child nutrition
• Health check-ups
• Immunization and caregiving

Training manuals, teaching materials, and structured guides will support the curriculum rollout and ensure consistency and quality of delivery across the vast Anganwadi network.

Integration with School Education System

This initiative marks a critical integration of early childhood education with Maharashtra's formal school education system. Previously functioning under the Women and Child Development Department, anganwadis will now have stronger operational and infrastructural linkages with schools.

Key integration measures include:

• Shifting anganwadis operating in rented or inadequate buildings to vacant classrooms in government schools, wherever feasible.
• Prioritizing this integration in rural, tribal, and remote areas, where educational infrastructure often requires reinforcement.

Monitoring and Infrastructure Upgrades via Geo-Tagging

To ensure effective monitoring and planning, all anganwadis will be geo-tagged using a mobile application developed by the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC). This tool has already been successfully used to tag government and aid schools.

The geo-tagging will allow authorities to:

• Track infrastructure availability
• Plan upgrades or relocations
• Support logistical coordination between anganwadis and nearby schools

This data-driven approach aims to ensure that early childhood education facilities are efficiently integrated into the broader school system.

Emphasis on Rural and Marginalized Areas

The Maharashtra government has specifically emphasized the implementation of Aadharshila in rural, tribal, and under-resourced regions, recognizing the disparity in early learning access. The integration of anganwadis with primary schools is expected to:

• Provide continuity in learning from early years to elementary education
• Enhance resource sharing between pre-primary and primary levels
• Offer a stable learning environment for young children in marginalized communities

A Holistic Approach to Early Childhood Development

Aadharshila goes beyond academics by reinforcing the multi-dimensional role of anganwadis. In addition to foundational education, these centers will continue to support:

• Nutritional needs
• Health interventions
• Emotional and social development

Maharashtra aims to lay a robust foundation for lifelong learning by merging these components into a comprehensive school readiness framework.

Conclusion: Maharashtra Sets a National Benchmark

Launching Aadharshila in Maharashtra’s anganwadis is a landmark step in implementing NEP 2020’s vision of universal, quality early childhood care and education. Through a structured, play-based, and outcome-oriented curriculum, infrastructure upgrades and educator training, the state is investing significantly in its youngest citizens.

As Maharashtra becomes one of the first states to integrate foundational learning so extensively with formal education, Aadharshila is poised to become a model for other states looking to improve early learning outcomes and educational equity across India.