3 min readMumbaiDec 19, 2025 09:18 PM IST
First published on: Dec 19, 2025 at 09:18 PM IST
In a first-of-its-kind move, the Maharashtra school education department has directed that schools in the state will no longer be allowed to use terms such as ‘International’ or ‘global’ in their names unless they really meet the eligibility criteria required for these titles–having campuses abroad or offering international curriculum. The decision aims to prevent confusion among parents and the general public due to such misleading school names.
In a letter issued to local education officers earlier this week, the Joint Director of Secondary Education points out that the use of words like ‘International’ or ‘Global’ in school names is allowed only if the school has campuses abroad or is affiliated with an international board or curriculum. However, the letter highlights that the department has observed that several schools affiliated with the state board are using these words in their names, which is misleading.
The letter further directs education officers to closely scrutinise the school names while examining new proposals for approvals or renewal, along with instructing to take appropriate action in case of existing schools with such names.
Flagging other misleading aspects, the letter states, “Some schools have English medium in their names, but their approval document shows that it was granted for a Marathi medium school. Further, the use of the word CBSE in the school name is not appropriate legally because it is the name of an examination board–Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)–established by the Central Government.”
Explaining the misleading aspect of the medium of a school, an official from the department said, “Many schools in the city are running on old approvals which were granted for a Marathi medium school but over the years they have started offering English medium. Whereas they should have had separate approval for the English medium school.”
According to the letter, the issue was discussed during a state-level meeting held on December 10, where officials noted that such misleading names can have adverse impact. It was then decided that schools using such words without eligibility should be instructed to change their names.
Asking local education officers to scrutinise new proposals accordingly, the letter states that this review will include checking the school’s affiliating board, approved medium of instruction, and whether the institute runs other schools at national or international level. If the school’s name is found misleading, the institution will be asked to change it and will be granted approval only after compliance.
The letter includes a list of 11 schools–including three from Thane district which is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)–that have applied for new or renewed approval in December 2025. Local education officers have been instructed to ask these institutions to reapply with corrected names.
As per the Directorate’s letter, officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with these orders in the schools under their jurisdiction. (File Photo) 
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