Bengaluru, February 3, 2026 — In a major relief for parents, the Karnataka government has approved the free distribution of textbooks along with notebooks to students from Class 1 to 12 under the Vidya Vikas scheme for the academic year 2026–27.
The School Education and Literacy Department, under Principal Secretary Shubhamangala, has issued orders for the initiative. This marks the first time that students from Class 1 to 12 in government and aided schools will receive both textbooks and notebooks completely free of cost. The move is expected to benefit approximately 61 lakh students across the state and significantly reduce the financial burden on parents.
Previously, textbooks were provided free for Classes 1 to 10, but parents had to purchase notebooks. For Classes 11 and 12, even textbooks were not fully covered. Now, the government will supply both, ensuring complete support for school education.
The Education Department had submitted a proposal costing ₹30.83 crore (including textbooks, workbooks, and diaries) for approval. The government has now sanctioned a total of ₹290.46 crore under the Vidya Vikas scheme for this purpose. An additional ₹25.841 crore has been allocated under Samagra Shiksha Karnataka for new implementation activities.
The order mandates:
- Distribution of bilingual Bala Chetana activity books for pre-primary students in government schools.
- Workbooks for Classes 4 to 9 in Kannada medium government schools.
- Diaries and moral education books for Classes 1 to 10.
- Full textbooks and notebooks for Classes 1 to 12 in government and aided schools.
The Karnataka Textbook Society will handle transparent tendering and printing as per the Karnataka Textbook Printing Policy 1999. Instructions have been given to collect demands through the SAT system and ensure distribution at the start of the academic year.
The department has warned against any compromise on paper quality, printing standards, or misuse of funds. Strict action will be taken against irregularities.
Parents and educationists have welcomed the decision as a significant step towards equitable access to education and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for schooling.
