Rajasthan Set to Make Sanskrit Compulsory at Pre-Primary Level, First State in India to Do So

The BJP-led Rajasthan government is preparing to introduce Sanskrit as a compulsory subject at the pre-primary level across all schools in the state, officials confirmed.

“Rajasthan will become the first state in India to teach Sanskrit from the pre-primary stage,” said Priyanka Jodhawat, Commissioner of the state’s Sanskrit Education Department. “We’ve already sent the proposal to the cabinet earlier this year. The curriculum is ready, textbooks have been launched, and classes will begin once we get the final approval.”

The rollout will take place in three phases, according to officials. The first phase will begin with newly established pre-primary schools under the Sanskrit Education Department. While there are currently no pre-primary schools in the Sanskrit school system, 757 such schools have been proposed and are expected to start functioning within a month. Sanskrit will be a mandatory subject in all of them from day one.

In the second and third phases, the initiative will expand to 962 Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools (MGEMS) and 660 PM-Shree Schools that currently offer pre-primary education. These phases are expected to begin next year.

The Rajasthan State Council for Educational Research and Training (RSCERT) has developed three textbooks for pre-primary levels, all written in a simple, child-friendly style and designed like comic books to engage young learners. The books have received approval from both the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the state government.

The titles of the books are:

* *Sanskritpraveshah: Balvaatika Pratham Vaag* (Pre-primary Class 1)

* *Sanskritpraveshah: Balvaatika Dwitiya Vaag* (Pre-primary Class 2)

* *Sanskritpraveshah: Balvaatika Tritya Vaag* (Pre-primary Class 3)

“These books are just an introduction to Sanskrit. They aim to familiarize children with basic vocabulary and grammar in a fun, engaging way,” said an official from the Education Minister’s office.

Currently, Sanskrit is already mandatory in all classes in Sanskrit schools. In MGEMS schools, it is offered as an optional third language from Classes 9 to 12. In Hindi medium and PM-Shree schools, it is available from Classes 6 to 8.

While Hindi medium schools in Rajasthan currently do not have pre-primary classes, the state is gradually expanding early education infrastructure, starting with Sanskrit institutions.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma officially launched the new pre-primary Sanskrit books during the Bhamashah Felicitation Ceremony on June 28, signaling the government’s commitment to implementing the subject at the earliest possible date.