Delhi Govt Schools to Distribute Textbooks Before Summer Break

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Delhi Government Promises Timely Textbook Distribution

The Delhi government told the High Court that students in all government schools will get their textbooks for the current academic year before the summer holidays start. This assurance was given during a hearing by Justice Sachin Datta on a petition filed by an NGO called Social Jurist. The NGO had asked for contempt action against the education secretary for not following a 2024 court order about providing educational materials on time.

The court issued a notice to the education secretary and accepted the government’s promise during the hearing.

Textbook Delay Affects Thousands of Students

The NGO’s lawyer said that lakhs of students from classes 1 to 8 in Delhi government schools have not received their textbooks since the academic year began on April 1. This delay has hurt their right to education.

Current Status of Textbook Distribution

The government’s standing counsel explained that tenders were issued for textbook distribution. So far, 10 lakh students have received their books, but about 8 lakh students are still waiting. The government assured that these remaining students will get their textbooks in the next few days.

The court noted the government’s statement that the tender process is complete and most books have been distributed. It was assured that all students in classes 1 to 8 will have their textbooks before summer vacation starts.

Next Steps and Court Orders

The court asked the authorities to submit a status report and scheduled the next hearing for September. The NGO pointed out that on July 4, 2024, the High Court had recorded the government’s promise to provide books, notebooks, writing materials, and furniture to all government school students on time. The education secretary had also formally directed that the entire process be finished so that textbooks reach students by the last week of March or the start of the academic year around April 1.

Despite these orders and promises, the NGO said the government has not fully complied. The academic session for 2026-27 started on April 1, 2026, but many students still have no textbooks, which harms their education and progress.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Delhi government assured the High Court that textbooks will be given before summer vacation.
• About 10 lakh students have received textbooks; 8 lakh are still waiting.
• The academic session started on April 1, 2026, but many students faced delays in getting books.
• The High Court will review the case again in September 2024.
• The NGO Social Jurist filed the petition due to delays violating a 2024 court order.