JKBOSE to Begin Textbook Distribution
Amid the commencement of the new academic session, the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will begin distributing free textbooks to schools across Kashmir from mid-November 2026. The distribution has been delayed due to a shortage of revised edition textbooks.
Textbook Distribution Timeline
Initially planned for the first week of November, the distribution process has been postponed. According to an official, the delay is due to the receipt of textbooks for classes whose syllabus has been revised this year. The official stated that last year, distribution began in the last week of November.
Textbook Availability
JKBOSE textbooks are currently available from booksellers, except for Class 3, where the syllabus has been revised. The supply for other classes is already available. JKBOSE has printed textbooks for both government and private schools, utilizing data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus.
Syllabus Revisions
This year, JKBOSE has revised the syllabus for Classes 1, 2, 3, and 6, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020. Further syllabus revisions are planned for future academic sessions, starting in 2027-2028.
Textbook Adoption Policy
JKBOSE has mandated that private schools adopt the board’s textbooks for primary and higher classes. This directive, issued under the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education Act, 1975, allows JKBOSE to prescribe courses and textbooks. Concerns have been raised regarding private schools recommending costly textbooks from external publishers, placing a financial burden on parents.
Current Status
JKBOSE reports that textbooks for only two classes are currently pending, while the majority of the supply has been received. The process is expected to resume as soon as the remaining textbooks arrive, likely influenced by the Diwali festival preparations which have impacted delivery schedules.
Source: Greater Kashmir. Featured image credit: Greater Kashmir.
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