Madhya Pradesh school education department is giving free textbooks to students of classes 9th to 12th studying in government high schools and higher secondary schools, and the books for session 2026-27 are already being sent to schools. Running since 1st January 2008, this scheme covers the full set of prescribed books for each class, so families do not have to spend anything on books.
In April 2026, Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved ₹693 crore for this book supply, and that budget covers five sessions from 2026-27 up to 2030-31. So the scheme is not a one-time thing. It is now funded for the next five years, and students of classes 9 to 12 in all government high and higher secondary schools of the state will keep getting books free every session.
Free Distribution of Text Books to Students Madhya Pradesh
School Education Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh runs this scheme. Books are printed and supplied through Madhya Pradesh Text Book Corporation and sent to schools before the session starts. Session 2026-27 in MP schools started from 1st April 2026, and book distribution was done along with the School Chale Hum campaign in the first week of the session.
There is no separate online form for students. Enrolment in a government school is enough. Class teacher or the school office hands over the book set once the school receives the stock. Students only need to sign the school register at the time of taking books.
Highlights of the Scheme
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Free Distribution of Text Books to Students |
| Launched By | School Education Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh |
| Start Date | 1 January 2008 |
| Eligible people | Students of classes 9th to 12th in government schools of Madhya Pradesh |
| Benefit | Full set of prescribed textbooks, free |
| Budget Approved | ₹693 crore for sessions 2026-27 to 2030-31 |
| Benefit Type | In kind, not a DBT payment |
| Application Mode | Through school, offline |
| Main Department | School Education Department, Bhopal |
What Students Get
Each eligible student gets the complete set of textbooks prescribed by Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education for the class in which they are studying. Nothing has to be paid, not even printing or handling charges. For classes 11th and 12th, books are given as per the stream chosen by the student, be it science, commerce, arts or agriculture.
Books for classes 1 to 8 are also given free in government schools under the Right to Education rules, so a child studying in a government school of Madhya Pradesh gets free books right from class 1 till class 12.
Who Can Get Free Books
Rules are simple and there is no income limit or caste condition. Anyone studying in a state government school in the eligible classes gets the books.
- Student must be enrolled in a government high school or higher secondary school of Madhya Pradesh, including government-run residential and model schools.
- Student must be studying in class 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th during the running session.
- Student record should be updated in the school register with a valid Samagra ID, because book demand is raised school-wise from enrolment data.
Students of private schools do not get books under this scheme. They have to buy books from the market or through their school.
How to Get the Books
No online form is needed. The process runs at the school level and takes only a few minutes for a student.
STEP 1 - Make sure your admission for the running session is complete and your name, class and Samagra ID are correctly entered in the school enrolment record. Book demand goes from this record, so a wrong entry can mean a missing book set.
STEP 2 - Ask your class teacher or the school office about the date on which books will be given. Most schools give books in the first two weeks of the session, which begins from 1st April every year in Madhya Pradesh.
STEP 3 - Reach school on the announced date, collect the book set from the teacher in charge, and check that all subject books of your class and stream are there.
STEP 4 - Sign the distribution register kept in the school. This signature is the record of receipt, so do it yourself and check the entry once.
STEP 5 - If any book is missing or damaged, tell the school principal in writing. Schools raise a fresh demand for short books, and the missing book is usually given within a few weeks.
Documents Required
Students already admitted in a government school usually do not need to submit anything new. These papers may be asked at the time of admission or when a school updates its record.
- Samagra ID, which is used to link the student record with the state education database.
- Aadhaar card of the student for identity checking.
- Previous class marksheet or transfer certificate to confirm the class of admission.
- Madhya Pradesh domicile proof, if the school asks for it during admission.
- Passport size photograph for the school record.
Complaint Help
If books are not given even after the session has started, the first step is to speak to the school principal. If nothing happens, the matter can be taken to the block education officer or the district education officer. State-level complaints can be filed on CM Helpline number 181, which works for all Madhya Pradesh government schemes. School Education Portal related problems can be mailed to helpdeskportal3@gmail.com.
Other Support for Students
Along with free books, Madhya Pradesh gives cycles to class 6 and class 9 students living far from school, laptops to top scorers of class 12, and several scholarships. Students can also check the Post Matric Scholarship for Class 11th, 12th and College and the State Government Backward Class Scholarship for Class 6 to 10. Hostel facility is given under the Integrated Hostel Scheme.
References
Official scheme entry on CM Helpline: Free Text Book Scheme details on MP CM Helpline
School Education Department portal: Vimarsh Portal, School Education Department Madhya Pradesh
Cabinet approval news: MP Cabinet approves ₹693 crore for free textbooks
FAQ's
Who gets free textbooks in Madhya Pradesh
Students of classes 9th to 12th studying in government high and higher secondary schools of Madhya Pradesh get the full set of books free. Class 1 to 8 students in government schools also get free books.
Is there any form to fill for free books
No online or offline form is needed. Admission in a government school is enough, and books are given through the school in the first weeks of the session.
Is this scheme still running in 2026
Yes. Cabinet approved ₹693 crore in April 2026 for classes 9 to 12 books, and the funding covers sessions 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Can private school students get these books
No. Only students of government schools of Madhya Pradesh are covered. Private school students buy their own books.
Is there any income limit
No income or caste limit applies. Every student of the eligible classes in a government school gets books.
What to do if a book is missing
Inform the school principal in writing. The school raises a short-supply demand and the book is usually given within a few weeks. If not, contact the block education officer or CM Helpline 181.
When are books given every year
Session in MP schools starts from 1st April, and most schools give the book set within the first two weeks of the session.