Bhubaneswar: A major textbook error row has hit Odisha after 1,678 mistakes were found in new school books meant for Classes 1 to 8 in government schools. The state government has ordered an inquiry and asked a three-member committee to submit its report within seven days.
The books were prepared for the 2026-27 academic session under the National Education Policy 2020 and the Odisha Curriculum Framework 2025. The issue came to light after teachers found factual, scientific and printing mistakes once the books reached schools. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to identify those responsible and take strict action.
Newton called a pilot, Hampi shown as KonarkThe most talked-about mistake is from a textbook where scientist Sir Isaac Newton was described as the “greatest pilot.” The error quickly drew attention, mainly as Newton is one of the most widely known names in science classrooms.
That was not the only problem. A photo of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly was printed as the Odisha Legislative Assembly. An image of the Hampi temple complex was marked as the Konark Sun Temple.
Class 8 books have highest number of errorsAccording to the School and Public Education Department, 1,678 errors were found across textbooks from Classes 1 to 8. Class 8 books alone had 705 errors, the highest among all classes.
Some of the errors reported include:
- Niyamgiri Hills shown in Jharkhand
- Brahmapur mentioned as a district instead of a city in Ganjam district
- Wheat and paddy wrongly identified
- Temperature described as pressure
- “Food cycle” written instead of “food web”
- “Equator” used in place of “Equinox”
The department has sent a correction list to all schools. Teachers have been asked to use it during classroom teaching so that students are not affected.
The decision to form the inquiry committee came after a review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan. School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Chief Secretary Anu Garg and senior officials were present.
The government said the textbook preparation and quality checking process will be reviewed. The bigger question now is, how did so many mistakes pass checks before reaching children?
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