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Odisha education reforms: textbook errors, resignation push

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2026-07-26 21:25 UTC → 2026-07-27 13:31 UTC · added removed

Odisha education reforms: textbooks, free study, fallout textbook errors, resignation push

The Odisha Crime Branch formally registered filed a criminal case (No 08/2026) on 13 July, charging sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launching multiple investigation teams July 2026 to trace every step of investigate the production chain of class I‑VIII textbook production chain. textbooks after dozens of factual errors were discovered, with Deputy Superintendent of Police Narendra Kumar Behera leads the probe, while former SCERT director Manoj Padhi remains detained. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi maintains that the widespread errors, such as the erroneous claim that Isaac Newton was a pilot, constitute a deliberate conspiracy, a charge contested by BJD leaders. On 14 July leading the government probe. The state issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure for its Gyanodaya‑Shiksharu Samruddhi KG‑to‑PG scheme. Admission, re‑admission and other institutional scheme on 14 July, waiving admission fees are waived for eligible students, who must keep at least 75 % attendance (reducible to 65 % in exceptional cases). Examination students while retaining examination and hostel fees stay payable. Reimbursements to colleges will be made in phases—10 %, then 15 %, followed by three instalments of 25 % each—aiming charges, and outlining phased reimbursements to lift raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio to 60 % under toward Vision 2036/2047 and the NEP 2020. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted the scheme’s alignment with the national ‘education for all’ goal. The textbook controversy 2036/2047. Political fallout has sparked political fallout. intensified. Education Minister Nityananda Gond faces renewed opposition demands for his resignation within seven days, with Congress and after more than 2,000 errors were reported in the new textbooks. BJD threatening president Naveen Patnaik and Congress state president Bhakta Charan Das warned of a statewide bandh and possible protest at Gond’s residence if ignored. he does not step down within seven days, drawing parallels to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a NEET paper‑leak scandal. The state BJP dismissed BJD has called for a CBI investigation, alleging corruption of roughly ₹380 crore in the calls as opportunistic, accusing textbook‑printing contract. The ruling BJP rejected the opposition of deflecting from its own past controversies. demand, asserting that corrective actions are already underway and that officials found responsible will face criminal charges. The dispute controversy adds further pressure on the government’s government's broader reform agenda, which also includes converting 67 including the conversion of primary schools to upper‑primary status across 22 districts to improve rural access. districts.

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  1. 2026-07-27 13:31 UTC Odisha education reforms: textbook errors, resignation push
  2. 2026-07-26 21:25 UTC Odisha education reforms: textbooks, free study, fallout

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