Rajasthan moves to lighten school bags, introduces term-wise textbooks from 2026–27

In a policy shift aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, Rajasthan has decided to restructure primary school textbooks into term-wise formats, with the stated aim of reducing the physical burden on young students.

Under the new system, subjects such as Hindi, English, Mathematics and Environmental Studies will be consolidated into a smaller number of books for each academic term. Instead of carrying multiple textbooks throughout the year, students will use a single composite volume per term, organised into sections with limited chapters and integrated worksheets.

Officials indicate that the redesign is intended not merely as a logistical adjustment but as a pedagogical intervention. By limiting the number of chapters in each term and embedding activity-based exercises within the material, the state hopes to shift classroom practices towards more engaged and continuous learning.

There is also an administrative dimension to the reform. Schools may be encouraged to store books on campus and rotate them across terms, further reducing the daily load carried by students. The move builds on earlier efforts to regulate school bag weight and follows national guidelines that recommend a cap relative to a child’s body weight.

While the measure addresses a long-standing concern among parents and educators, its effectiveness will depend on execution at the school level. Questions remain on whether infrastructure, teacher preparedness and monitoring mechanisms can keep pace with the intent of the reform.