UP Board Announcement: The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has released comprehensive guidelines concerning the use of textbooks in schools affiliated with the UP Board for the academic year 2026-27. Board Secretary Bhagwati Singh emphasized that awareness and accessibility camps will be organized to inform about the authorized textbooks. He also cautioned that schools using unauthorized textbooks could face punitive measures. As per Section 7(1-a) of the Intermediate Education Act, 1921, it is legally required for schools under the UP Board to utilize only approved textbooks for educational purposes.

For the 2026-27 academic session, the UP Board has adopted 70 textbooks published by NCERT, New Delhi, covering 36 subjects. This includes subjects for High School (Classes 9 and 10) such as English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Science, as well as Intermediate level subjects (Classes 11 and 12) like English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, History, Geography, Civics, Sociology, Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, Psychology, and Home Science.

The UP Board Secretary stated that textbooks for 36 subjects (Classes 9 to 12), including 12 core subjects, will be available at reasonable prices. Three printers have been authorized for the printing and distribution of these textbooks. M/s Pioneer Printers and Publishers, located in Agra, will manage textbooks for Classes 9 through 12. M/s Singhal Agencies in Lucknow is responsible for Class 11 textbooks, while M/s Pitambara Books Pvt. Ltd. in Jhansi will handle Class 10 textbooks.

The UP Board Secretary has reported that unauthorized textbooks are being circulated and taught in various schools. This issue arises from collusion between schools and booksellers, motivated by personal gain, leading to the distribution of textbooks and guidebooks from private publishers that are not sanctioned by the UP Board. These unauthorized materials are priced significantly higher than the approved textbooks, with costs ranging from 149% to 361% more, forcing students to purchase these books.

The UP Board has initiated measures for thorough inspections and strict actions to combat the distribution of unauthorized textbooks. A special campaign will be conducted in April, concluding on the 15th, to ensure that students and their families are not burdened with the high costs of unauthorized textbooks.