Bhubaneswar: In a first in the country, Odisha has translated and contextualized 55 new NCERT textbooks developed under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These books developed for Grade-V and VIII were reviewed and approved in the 4th Core Committee Meeting on Syllabi and Textbook Development chaired by Commissioner-cum-Secretary of School and Mass Education Department Dr. N. Thirumala Naik here on Saturday.
The milestone follows the preparation of the Odisha School Education Curriculum Framework 2025 by Directorate of Teacher Education and State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT), which has guided the State’s textbook development efforts. The State Curriculum Framework was formally released by the Chief Minister on Teacher’s Day this year.
To promote the holistic development of students, Odisha has also introduced textbooks in three new subjects—Art Education, Physical Education & Well-being, and Vocational Education—ensuring that each has been contextualized to reflect the State’s needs and culture. All new textbooks will be implemented across schools from 2026–27 academic year.
Odisha has emerged as a leading state in the country by developing the State Curriculum Framework and all new textbooks from Sishu Vatika to Class VIII within a very short period. The SCERT has already begun the process of familiarizing teachers across the State with the new Curriculum Framework and the academic transaction of the upcoming textbooks, ensuring smooth classroom implementation from 2026–27, sources said.
While contextualizing the textbooks, special emphasis was given to incorporating local examples, stories, and references related to Odisha’s history, science, mathematics, literature, and art. This approach aims to engage students more deeply in classroom activities and strengthen their knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions envisioned under NEP 2020.
All the directors under the department and committee members were present during the meeting.
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