‘One State One Uniform’ Policy Withdrawn in Maharashtra Amid Widespread Criticism

Mumbai, April 4: The Maharashtra government has officially scrapped its ‘One State One Uniform’ policy following months of criticism from educators, parents, and activists. A government order issued on Wednesday announced that starting from the academic year 2025–26, school management committees will once again have the authority to decide the design and color of school uniforms.

Relief for Uniform Manufacturers
The policy’s rollback has brought a wave of relief to local uniform manufacturers. Prakash Pawar, Secretary of the Solapur Uniform Garment Manufacturers Association (SUGMA), said, “This decision revives employment for over 10,000 workers across the state and ensures that students receive comfortable uniforms on time.”

Implementation Delays and Poor Execution
Initially introduced in May 2023 to standardize uniforms across government schools, the scheme struggled from the outset. After being rolled out in the 2024–25 academic year, serious distribution delays left nearly 32 lakh students waiting for their second set of uniforms until late December. Issues with supply chains, material quality, and communication plagued the rollout.

Tushar Shevale, a school management committee member from Shahapur, criticized the flawed execution: “Many students got their uniforms in January. Some are still waiting. Plus, polyester uniforms were handed out despite regulations against them.”

Public Backlash and Policy Reversal
Mounting dissatisfaction forced the government to revise its stand in December 2024, allowing some flexibility in design choices — but only within limits approved by the state. However, persistent pressure from stakeholders eventually led to the complete withdrawal of the centralized policy.

Education activist Bhausaheb Chaskar slammed the earlier decision, calling it “a poorly thought-out move that created unnecessary chaos for schools, students, and parents.” He added, “This should be a lesson in inclusive and practical policymaking.”

Educators Support Decentralization
Teachers and education advocates have largely welcomed the return to a decentralized approach. Nitin Memane, Vice President of the Purandar Taluka Primary Teachers’ Association in Pune, said, “Decentralization brings decisions closer to the ground. School committees know what’s best for their students.”

Free Uniforms Under SSA to Continue
Despite the rollback, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme — under which free uniforms are provided to girls from Classes 1 to 8, as well as to students from SC, ST, and BPL families — will continue. Only the uniform design selection will now rest with local school committees.

Second Major Rollback Under Ex-Education Minister
This marks the second major policy reversal from the tenure of former Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar. Observers say the state government now hopes to repair the confusion caused by the failed uniform policy and reaffirm its commitment to grassroots decision-making in education.