Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has escalated its response to the controversy surrounding errors in school textbooks, ordering a criminal investigation into the alleged lapses. Concurrently, it is rolling out sweeping administrative and systemic reforms to restore public confidence in the state’s education system.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the Crime Branch to launch a criminal probe into the extensive printing and content errors found in textbooks for Classes I to VIII. These books, prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), were intended for the 2026-27 academic session.
The Chief Minister also instructed SCERT to formally lodge a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, thereby initiating a comprehensive investigation into the entire textbook preparation and publication process.
Crime Branch to Probe Possible Conspiracy
This decision follows the findings of a special inquiry supervised by the Development Commissioner. Government sources indicate that the Crime Branch has been tasked with examining every stage of the textbook production process—from manuscript preparation and editing to proofreading, printing, and publication. The goal is to determine how the errors occurred and whether they resulted from negligence or a deliberate conspiracy.
The state government is also investigating whether these irregularities were intended to embarrass the newly elected administration. Chief Minister Majhi had previously remarked during a public program that the extent of the errors suggested the possibility of a conspiracy against the government.
The Crime Branch will identify all responsible individuals and determine if any criminal liability arises under applicable laws.
Senior Officials Face Suspension
Even before the Crime Branch probe was ordered, the government had initiated stringent disciplinary action based on the preliminary findings of the inquiry committee.
Former SCERT Director Manoj Padhi, currently serving as Special Secretary in the Higher Education Department, was suspended for his alleged role in the lapses. Three SCERT Assistant Directors—Pralipta Mishra, Dilip Kumar Sahu, and Bharati Tudu—were also suspended.
A special investigation team has already questioned the suspended former Director as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Additionally, departmental disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against six Assistant Directors: Bandita Pattnaik, Manas Ranjan Rout, Manoranjan Mohapatra, Prashant Kumar Sahu, Manas Kumar Nayak, and Sudarshan Santara.
These disciplinary measures were taken after the high-level committee, led by Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, submitted its report to the Chief Minister.
Government Promises Error-Free Textbooks
Amid mounting criticism over factual, typographical, and printing mistakes in the newly introduced textbooks prepared under the National Education Policy (NEP) framework, the Odisha government has assured students that completely revised and error-free textbooks will be supplied at the earliest.
School and Mass Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr N Thirumala Naik had earlier stated that the government is treating the issue with utmost seriousness and has initiated both immediate corrective measures and long-term institutional reforms.
According to Dr Naik, all identified errors are being verified by subject experts before revised editions are finalised and sent for printing.
Public Feedback Invited for Revised Textbooks
To enhance transparency and public participation in the revision process, the School and Mass Education Department has uploaded revised textbooks for Classes I to IV on its official website, as well as those of SCERT, the Directorate of Teacher Education, and the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA).
Teachers, parents, educationists, and the general public are invited to review these textbooks and submit their suggestions within seven days.
Officials have stated that all feedback will be meticulously reviewed before the finalization of the revised textbooks. This will allow experts to rectify any remaining errors before the printing process begins.
Uninterrupted Teaching During Transition
The government has assured that classroom instruction will continue without disruption during this transitional period.
Until the revised textbooks are printed and distributed, teachers will receive correction sheets and updated teaching materials to prevent any academic disadvantage for students. Corrected PDF versions of the textbooks will serve as the official reference until new printed copies reach schools.
OSEPA has also published a detailed correction list on its website to provide teachers, parents, and students with easy access to updated information.
Fourteen Reforms Approved to Enhance Textbook Quality
In response to the inquiry committee’s recommendations, the Odisha government has approved all 14 proposed structural reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Immediate measures include directing SCERT to create a comprehensive master errata register and distribute printed correction sheets to students within a specified timeframe. Replacement pages and reprinted inserts will be provided where significant errors have been identified.
For long-term improvement, a dedicated Textbook Quality Assurance Cell will be established within SCERT. Additionally, subject-wise Curricular Area Groups and book-specific Textbook Development Committees will be formed, mirroring the structure of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The government has also sanctioned a four-stage proofreading mechanism, mandatory final locked PDF approval before printing, pilot testing of newly developed textbooks, and a responsibility matrix to ensure accountability at every stage of textbook preparation.
A public errata portal will be launched, enabling teachers, students, and citizens to report textbook errors. The reforms also encompass periodic performance evaluations of printers, financial penalties for substandard work, and provisions for blacklisting non-compliant printing agencies and DTP vendors.
With a Crime Branch investigation underway, disciplinary actions against officials initiated, and comprehensive reforms approved, the Odisha government has demonstrated a zero-tolerance approach to lapses in textbook preparation. The administration asserts that this dual strategy of accountability and systemic reform will guarantee students receive accurate, high-quality learning materials while bolstering public confidence in the state’s school education system.
