📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Deepak das
Education
Over 2.8 million students in Odisha to receive free textbooks after distribution error
✍️ India Today
🗓 15 Oct 2026, 04:16 AM
👁 12
The Odisha government announced that more than 2.8 million schoolchildren will receive textbooks free of cost, a move taken after a recent distribution error sparked criticism.
The state education department said that over 28 lakh students across Odisha will be provided with textbooks at no charge. The decision comes as a corrective measure following a reported error in the earlier distribution round, which left several schools without the required material.
Officials indicated that the free‑textbook scheme will be implemented under the existing state education programme, ensuring that all eligible pupils receive the books before the upcoming academic session. The department has instructed district officials to expedite the hand‑over and monitor compliance.
While the exact cause of the earlier mishap has not been detailed, the government emphasized its commitment to uninterrupted learning resources for every child in the state.
Officials indicated that the free‑textbook scheme will be implemented under the existing state education programme, ensuring that all eligible pupils receive the books before the upcoming academic session. The department has instructed district officials to expedite the hand‑over and monitor compliance.
While the exact cause of the earlier mishap has not been detailed, the government emphasized its commitment to uninterrupted learning resources for every child in the state.