In this guide
"Should I write in Marathi or English?" is one of the most common questions MPSC aspirants ask — and one of the most anxiously debated. Coaching classes, seniors and social media offer confident answers in both directions. The honest answer is that the Commission evaluates content, structure and clarity, not the language. The right medium is the one in which you write best.
What the rules say
The Rajyaseva Mains permits answers in Marathi or English. The Marathi and English language papers are separate, qualifying papers that every candidate writes regardless of medium. Check the current notification for any conditions — for example, whether you must use one medium throughout, and how the medium is declared in the application.
The questions to ask yourself
| Question | If Marathi | If English |
|---|---|---|
| In which language did you study at school and college? | Marathi-medium education often means faster, more natural Marathi writing | English-medium education often means faster English writing |
| In which language do you think about social and political issues? | — | — |
| In which language can you write 150 words in 7–8 minutes? | Test yourself | Test yourself |
| Which terminology do you know well? | Marathi administrative terms | English technical terms |
| Where are your sources? | State board books, Marathi newspapers | NCERT, national newspapers, reports |
The best way to decide is a test: write the same answer twice, once in each language, timed. Compare speed, clarity and how much you managed to say. The difference is usually obvious.
Myths worth dismissing
- "Examiners prefer English." There is no basis for this. Evaluation depends on content and presentation.
- "Marathi answers score more because it is a state exam." Equally unfounded.
- "You must write in the language of your sources." Not necessarily — many successful candidates read in English and write in Marathi, or the other way round. But it helps to know the terminology in your writing language.
If you choose Marathi
Strengths: natural expression for many aspirants in Maharashtra; direct use of state board textbooks and Marathi newspapers; easier to write on Maharashtra's society, culture and history.
Challenges and solutions:
- Technical terms. Some concepts in economy, science and technology are more familiar in English. Build a glossary of standard Marathi equivalents used in government documents — for example, the terms used in Maharashtra government resolutions and state board textbooks. Where a Marathi term is uncommon, you may write the English term in brackets once.
- Sources. Much standard material is in English. Make your notes in Marathi as you read, so that you think in your writing language.
- Writing speed in Devanagari. Practise regularly; neat, fast handwriting takes time.
If you choose English
Strengths: wide availability of sources, reports and standard books; precise technical terminology; direct overlap with UPSC preparation.
Challenges and solutions:
- Maharashtra-specific terms. Some concepts — names of schemes, institutions, social movements — are best known in Marathi. Use the official English name where one exists, and the Marathi term in transliteration where it is the recognised name (for example, the Varkari tradition).
- Formal English. Avoid complicated sentences. Examiners value clarity over vocabulary.
- Grammar. Frequent errors distract. Practise and get feedback.
Mixing languages
Within one answer, write in one language. Occasional terms from the other language — where they are the accepted name of something — are fine. Switching languages mid-sentence is not.
What about the Essay and Ethics papers?
The same principles apply. For Ethics, where you write about values and attitudes, some aspirants find Marathi more natural; others prefer the precision of English philosophical terms. Our MPSC Rajyaseva Ethics book is in Marathi and useful for those writing in Marathi.
Building terminology in either language
- Keep a glossary notebook with columns: term in English, term in Marathi, one-line meaning.
- Read government documents — the Economic Survey of Maharashtra and government resolutions — in the language you will write in.
- Note the terms used in previous-year question papers, which are published in both languages.
Once you decide, commit
Changing your medium a few months before the exam is costly: you lose speed, and your notes no longer match your writing language. Decide early — ideally within the first two months of preparation — and then practise only in that medium.
The medium is a tool. Whichever you choose, what the examiner rewards is the same: a clear answer to the question asked, well structured, with relevant examples.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Maharashtra Public Service Commission website .
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