Massive Textbook Blunder Triggers Political Storm in Odisha

The Odisha government has ordered a high-level inquiry after officials identified 1,678 errors in newly introduced school textbooks for Classes 1 to 8. The mistakes, found in books prepared under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework for the 2026–27 academic year, have triggered widespread criticism from teachers, parents, and opposition parties. Among the major errors, scientist Isaac Newton was incorrectly described as a “great pilot,” while an image of the Hampi temple complex was wrongly identified as the Konark Sun Temple.

Following the controversy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi constituted a three-member inquiry panel to investigate how such errors passed through the review process. The government has directed officials to correct the mistakes immediately and provide revised guidance to schools. The issue has sparked political debate across the state, with education experts warning that such inaccuracies could confuse students and affect confidence in the education system.