JKBOSE faces annual liability of Rs 12 crore for printing of textbooks

Srinagar, Feb 22: The J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) is facing a liability of Rs 12 crore annually for the printing of the textbooks for government schools, the government said.

This was revealed in the recently-concluded first leg of the J&K Budget session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.

As per the official data, JKBOSE has been running in losses over the last three to four years.

As per the official statistics, the JKBOSE incurred an expenditure of Rs 38.19 crore for printing of textbooks for the schools in 2023-24.

However, the revenue generated was only 26.38 crore.

Similarly, the expenditure on printing of textbooks was Rs 39.06 crores in 2024-25 while revenue generated was only Rs 27.61 crore.

The losses continued for another year as the expenditure for printing textbooks in 2025-26 (March-April) was Rs 39.45 crore while the revenue generated was only Rs 26.72 crore.

“The expenditure during 2025-26 (Winter Zone) and 2026-27 was Rs 38.08 crore while the funds are yet to be received from SAMAGRA and Director, School Education, Jammu and Kashmir divisions,” the official document reads.

The revelation came to the fore amid a debate over poor printing quality of textbooks which are distributed to students up to class 8th in all government schools.

The government has revealed that the mismatch in expenditure and revenue was due to the difference in amount received from Samagra Shiksha and the actual printing cost of textbooks.

“The SAMAGRA Shiksha provides Rs 250 per book set (4 textbooks) from class 1st to 5th primary and Rs 400 per book set (7 textbooks) from class 6th to 8th. The cost incurred by JKBOSE per book set from class 1st to 5th is around Rs 450 and for class 6th to 8th is Rs 750,” the official document reads.

It reads that the cost involves purchase of map-litho paper, cover paper, printing, and transportation.

“The differential amount in production of book sets and amount received from the SAMAGRA Shiksha incurs an annual liability of Rs 12 crore to JKBOSE,” it reads.

The government said that in addition, JKBOSE prints selective textbooks for class 9th to 12th, “which are sold through registered booksellers in market supply.”

The document reads that the printing process was executed through an open tender process wherein JKBOSE invites Expression of Interest (EOI) from empanelled NCERT printers for printing textbooks under regulation-1992 of JKBOSE ìchapter IX, sub-chapter (B), clause-6(i)î.

“The process is economical, entailing printing of textbooks at the lowest cost. The same analogy is followed by most of the boards across the country for being cost effective,” the official document reads.

The government said that no single printer has the capacity to print all the titles in adherence to stipulated timelines, necessitating the issuing of job orders to multiple printers.

About the distribution of the textbooks, the government said that the distribution of textbooks as per the roaster issued by JKBOSE at both the divisions of Jammu and Srinagar, taking into account topography and quantity involved.

“The JKBOSE has successfully ensured availability of the textbooks ahead of the start of academic session across J&K,” it reads.

The government data reveals that the JKBOSE prints textbooks from class 1st to 8th including Science, Math, Hindi, English, Dogri, and Gojri as mandated by law.

“The textbooks are printed both for government and private schools,” the minister informed the House.

As per the official documents, JKBOSE provides textbooks to government schools under SAMAGRA Shiksha scheme free of cost and the textbooks for private schools are distributed through a chain of registered booksellers in market supply.

“The JKBOSE realises the cost of the books supplied through market supply whereas, SAMAGRA Shiksha provides funds for distribution of books for students enrolled in government schools,” it reads.

The government said the affiliated private schools were under legal obligation to adopt JKBOSE textbooks.

However, some schools do not prescribe JKBOSE textbooks for which strict measures are taken timely by the School Education Department (SED) and JKBOSE to ensure compliance.

“Recently, a stricter monitoring mechanism was put in place and the JKBOSE issued dis‑affiliation notices to 12 non‑compliant schools. A fine of Rs 4 lakhs was also imposed upon the erring schools. All these schools adopted the JKBOSE textbooks later,” the document reads.

The government said that JKBOSE has constituted inspection squads to ensure strict compliance across all the districts.

“A meeting was also held with the private school association wherein they were re‑sensitized to adopt JKBOSE prescribed curriculum in full and avoid violation of law and Board regulations,” it read.