Odisha to Replace Class 1–8 Textbooks After Error Row, Government Rejects Claims of 1,678 Mistakes

Odisha will replace Class 1–8 textbooks after errors surfaced. Government denies claims of 1,678 mistakes and begins issuing corrected editions.
on Jul 03, 2026

Corrected textbooks will shortly be supplied to school children by the Odisha government after an error row surrounding newly published Class 1–8 books. The Odisha government, however, has ruled out allegations about the presence of over 1,600 mistakes in the textbooks.

Corrected textbooks will shortly be supplied to school children by the Odisha government as a row has ensued over the presence of errors in newly published Class 1 to 8 books.

Naik, School and Mass Education Department Secretary said that while the government takes the matter very seriously, there was no truth in allegations about thousands of errors.

ALLEGATIONS ON ERROR COUNT

Political parties have accused that more than 1,600 errors have been detected in the textbooks and the number includes spelling errors and wrong information, which led to political backlash.

However, Naik has stated that the “number of errors is much lower than what was claimed”, although he did not disclose the actual figure.

He further mentioned that there were mistakes but the numbers being circulated in the media and social media were exaggerated.

BEGINNING OF CORRECTION MODE

The government has initiated actions in this regard as experts and top officials are working on the feedback and preparing corrected content.

Naik clarified that students will be studying through correction sheets provided to the teachers till the new versions come.

The Odisha School Education Program Implementation Authority (OSEPA) had uploaded the correction list on its official site.

THE CONTROVERSY TAKES A POLITICAL TURN

The political opposition parties are criticizing the government in this regard and demanding resignation of the School Education Minister Nityananda Gond and CBI investigation of the case on allegations of negligence.

They said that the mistake has affected Odia pride.

INSIDES OF THE GOVERNMENT ACTION

Naik has revealed that some officials have been already taken disciplinary actions based on the recommendations of the high-level committee which was headed by the Development Commissioner D K Singh.

Moreover, he has revealed that other officials may also be subject to disciplinary actions depending upon the review.

To the query on including Rajasthani Folk Song in Odisha books, the secretary did not give any direct answer but told about systematic corrections.

In Nabarangpur, Congress conducted a protest sit-in for twelve hours over the matter, thereby pressurising the state government. However, the government insists that once the corrections are finalised, it would immediately implement them, especially ensuring that there is minimal classroom disturbance for the students.