Odisha Textbook Errors Spark CBI Probe Demands and Political Row

Opposition leaders in Odisha have launched a fierce critique against the state government over widespread inaccuracies discovered in school textbooks. The political fallout includes demands for a federal investigation into education contracts and intense scrutiny over severe teacher shortages across state institutions.

The Vice President of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, Santosh Singh Saluja, has voiced deep apprehensions regarding widespread inaccuracies in primary school learning materials, asserting that young students face systemic exploitation due to these academic deficiencies.

He also brought attention to a critical deficit of teaching staff, strongly censured current educational strategies, and alleged deep-rooted corruption in state procurement, calling for a CBI inquiry.

Saluja informed reporters that the state was witnessing unprecedented exploitation of its student population. He stated that learning materials designed for classes 1 through 8 contain an unacceptable volume of printing and factual blunders. Saluja questioned official directives urging instructors to rectify the mistakes during active lessons, labeling the strategy unfeasible. He further noted that structural issues persist while schools fail to maintain the mandatory 1:35 teacher-to-student ratio, placing the academic future of local children in jeopardy.

The Congress leader went on to allege financial misconduct in the distribution of educational supply agreements, pushing for high-level accountability.

Saluja asserted that a lucrative publishing contract was handed to the relative of a prominent BJP politician, insisting that the Central Bureau of Investigation must probe this suspected administrative corruption.

On June 17, 2026, Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik delivered a sharp rebuke to the ruling BJP administration, characterizing the textbook blunder as a manifestation of gross negligence and systemic indifference.

In an official social media communication, Patnaik expressed that exposing thousands of inaccuracies in Class 8 Odia literature books laid bare the current administration’s total lack of accountability. He emphasized that the government failed to distribute reading materials on schedule, and the subsequent books delivered were too flawed to serve their educational purpose.

The former Chief Minister stated that public instruction has entered a phase of absolute collapse under the current leadership, questioning how the state intends to cultivate the next generation. Patnaik highlighted that misrepresenting historical figures, incorrectly labeling Berhampur as a district instead of Ganjam, and failing basic orthography are severe administrative failures.

He stressed that the current regime has actively compromised the dignity of Odia Asmita by undermining the regional language and alphabet since taking office. Patnaik concluded that such structural failures impacting early childhood development remain inexcusable, demanding the immediate distribution of flawless learning materials to restore academic standards.

These political developments follow widespread complaints from government school instructors who identified multiple errors, spelling blunders, and historical inaccuracies throughout the newly introduced curriculum for primary and upper-primary classes.

Historical Context

The ongoing textbook controversy surfaces amidst a transition in Odisha’s political landscape following the 2024 assembly elections, which saw the BJP assume governance. Historically, educational infrastructure and the preservation of regional identity, or Odia Asmita, have remained highly sensitive political themes in the state. The transition of power has heightened scrutiny on public school administration, language instruction correctness, and state-backed procurement contracts.

FAQs

What specific errors were found in the Odisha school textbooks?

The newly introduced textbooks for classes 1 to 8 contained numerous spelling mistakes, factual errors regarding prominent historical figures, and geographical blunders, such as misidentifying Brahmapur as a distinct district instead of a city within Ganjam.

Why are opposition leaders demanding a CBI probe?

Congress Vice President Santosh Singh Saluja demanded a CBI investigation based on allegations that a lucrative textbook printing contract was improperly awarded to the child of a BJP official, suggesting political corruption.

What is the mandated teacher-to-student ratio in Odisha?

According to state education guidelines cited by opposition leaders, Odisha aims to maintain a standard ratio of 1 teacher for every 35 students, a benchmark that critics claim is currently unfulfilled due to severe staffing shortages.

How did former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik respond to the issue?

Naveen Patnaik strongly criticized the BJP administration, stating that the textbook errors represent a collapse of the education system and an insult to Odia Asmita (Odia pride) and language.