The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP), commonly known as the UP Board, has announced a significant change for students enrolled in English-medium schools affiliated with it. Starting from the 2027-28 academic session, textbooks for key subjects in High School (classes 9 and 10) and Intermediate (classes 11 and 12) will be made available in English. This decision aims to alleviate the financial burden on students who were previously forced to purchase expensive NCERT books due to the non-availability of affordable English versions from the board's authorised publishers.
Background and Rationale
The move comes in response to a long-standing issue: while the UP Board's authorised publishers printed prescribed textbooks only in Hindi, students in English-medium institutions faced difficulties accessing affordable English editions. Many had to buy original NCERT books at higher prices, creating an inequitable situation. The board's decision ensures that textbooks for all major subjects—except language papers—will now be printed in both Hindi and English, making education more accessible.
Subjects Covered
The new arrangement covers a wide range of subjects. For classes 9 and 10, English textbooks will be available for English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Science. For classes 11 and 12, the list includes English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, History, Geography, Civics, Sociology, Economics, Business Studies, Accountancy, Psychology, and Home Science. Language subjects like Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu are excluded from the English version initiative.
Implementation and Distribution
According to UP Board Secretary Bhagwati Singh, the board has already brought into circulation 70 NCERT-based textbooks spanning 36 subjects, along with 12 textbooks developed by the board for Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu, at affordable rates for students in government, aided, and recognised unaided schools across the state. For the 2027-28 session, dealerships for the sale and distribution of these textbooks will be granted to booksellers and institutions under prescribed rules and conditions, ensuring wide availability.
Impact on Students
This initiative is expected to benefit thousands of English-medium students across Uttar Pradesh, reducing their dependency on costlier alternatives. By providing official English versions at regulated prices, the board aims to standardise learning materials and support equitable education. The phased implementation from 2027-28 allows publishers and distributors adequate time to prepare.
