The Odisha government has commenced a high-level inquiry following the discovery of 1,678 errors in newly circulated school textbooks for students in Classes 1 to 8. These textbooks, designed for the 2026-27 academic year under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Odisha Curriculum Framework 2025, faced significant criticism when teachers flagged multiple inaccuracies upon their arrival in schools.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to identify individuals responsible for these mistakes and to ensure that strict action is taken. The textbooks were developed under the supervisory oversight of the Directorate of Teacher Education and the State Council of Educational Research and Training.

Detailed Nature of Mistakes Found

The errors identified in the textbooks encompass a wide range, including factual inaccuracies, misleading illustrations, and incorrect terminology. Notably, Sir Isaac Newton was inaccurately referred to as the “Greatest Pilot,” while the Karnataka Assembly building was mistakenly labelled as the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Additionally, the Hampi temple complex was incorrectly identified as the Konark Sun Temple, leading to confusion surrounding important historical landmarks.

Further notable inaccuracies include representing the Niyamgiri Hills as being located in Jharkhand instead of Odisha, and incorrectly classifying Berhampur as a district rather than as a city within Ganjam district. Additionally, the textbooks also confused wheat with paddy. In the science sections, terms like temperature and pressure were interchanged, and the concepts of food webs and food cycles were confused, while the term “Equinox” was erroneously replaced with “Equator.” These errors have raised significant concerns about the educational materials provided to students.

Class 8 textbooks were reported to contain the largest number of mistakes, with a staggering 705 errors cited alone. Teachers expressed their concerns after the distribution of these books, prompting questions regarding the quality assurance processes that were in place prior to publication.

Commitment to Rectification and Accountability

At a review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan and attended by key officials, including School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond and Chief Secretary Anu Garg, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a three-member committee led by the Development Commissioner. This committee has been tasked with submitting its findings within a week. The government has reiterated its commitment to holding individuals accountable for these mistakes and implementing a comprehensive review of the textbook preparation process.

By reinforcing quality checks, the government aims to prevent similar errors in future editions. This investigation and subsequent actions reflect the administration’s prioritisation of educational standards and quality in Odisha’s school curriculum, illustrating the critical nature of accurate educational resources.

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