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Odisha Government Takes Action Over Textbook Errors: Four Officials Suspended

In a significant move, the Odisha government has suspended four officials and initiated disciplinary action against six others due to numerous errors found in school textbooks. A committee investigating the issue reported over 1,678 mistakes, leading to widespread criticism from educators and parents. Notable errors include misidentifications of historical figures and landmarks. The government aims to hold accountable those responsible for the inaccuracies in educational materials. This situation has raised serious concerns about the quality of education in the state.
By Ambika Singh Jun 26, 2026, 16:18 IST

Government Response to Textbook Errors


Bhubaneswar: On Friday, the Odisha government took decisive action by suspending four officials due to significant errors identified in school textbooks. Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against six assistant directors, according to reports.


Sources indicate that Manoj Padhi, the former Director of Teachers Training and SCERT, along with Assistant Directors Pralipta Mishra, Dilip Kumar Sahu, and Bharati Tudu, have been suspended for their alleged roles in the publication of these flawed textbooks.


Additionally, disciplinary measures are being pursued against six other individuals linked to the alleged oversights, including Bandita Pattnaik, Manas Ranjan Rout, Manoranjan Mahapatra, Dr. Prashant Kumar Sahu, Manas Kumar Nayak, and Dr. Sudarshan Santra.


Earlier in the day, a three-member committee tasked with investigating the errors in Odisha's school textbooks submitted its findings to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The committee, led by Development Commissioner Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, completed its report within a week.


This committee was formed after a staggering 1,678 errors were reported in textbooks for students from Classes I to VIII for the current academic year, prompting backlash from educators, parents, and opposition parties. CM Majhi instructed the committee to pinpoint the officials and agencies responsible for the inaccuracies and to deliver a report within a week.


Among the notable errors highlighted are the mischaracterization of Sir Isaac Newton as a 'great pilot' rather than a scientist, the incorrect use of an image of Karnataka’s Vidhan Soudha instead of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, and the misidentification of Hampi’s renowned stone chariot as the Konark Sun Temple. Other inaccuracies pertain to Odisha's geography, history, and cultural heritage. The Odisha Parents’ Federation has condemned the release of these erroneous textbooks as a significant failure of the education system.


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