Parents of school children in Karnataka may soon face higher education expenses as the Karnataka Textbook Society has significantly increased the prices of several school textbooks for the 2026–27 academic year. The move has triggered concern among parents and private school managements, as the prices of some books have reportedly risen by 45% to 50%.
The revised pricing applies to textbooks required by private schools that follow the state syllabus under the Karnataka School Education Department. Schools had recently been instructed to submit their demand for textbooks for the upcoming academic year, and the updated circular revealed the increased prices for several subjects.
Major Price Hikes in Primary School Books
According to the revised price list, several textbooks used in primary classes have seen steep increases.
For instance, the 3rd standard Environmental Studies (EVS) textbook price has nearly doubled, rising from ₹22 to ₹45. Similarly, the 2nd standard Mathematics (English Medium – Part 2) textbook price has increased from ₹25 to ₹51.
Music-related textbooks have also witnessed price hikes across multiple grades. The textbooks for Hindustani Music and Karnataka Music for classes 1 to 5 have been revised upward at all levels.
As an example, the 4th standard music textbook has increased from ₹31 to ₹51, while the 1st standard Mridangam textbook price has gone up from ₹42 to ₹60.
Private School Associations Raise Objections
The price hike has drawn sharp criticism from private school management associations. The Karnataka Private Primary and Secondary Schools Management Association has expressed strong objection to the sudden increase in textbook prices.
Association leaders say the government should have announced the revised price list earlier, giving schools enough time to plan purchases and inform parents in advance.
School administrators also pointed out that the current situation makes it difficult for schools to collect additional money from students after admissions and fee structures have already been finalized.
Demand for Transparent Pricing Policy
Representatives from the Confederation of Managements of Aided and Unaided Schools (CAMPS) have urged the government to reconsider the price hike and introduce a transparent policy for determining textbook prices.
CAMPS General Secretary D. Shashikumar said the organization has submitted a request to the government asking it to intervene and prevent the steep increase.
He emphasized that textbook pricing should be transparent and fair so that both schools and parents are not burdened with sudden cost increases.
Concerns Among Parents
The rise in textbook prices comes at a time when many families are already dealing with increasing education costs, including school fees, uniforms, and transportation.
Parents fear that the additional expense could significantly impact household budgets, especially for families with multiple school-going children.
Education stakeholders are now urging the state government to review the revised prices and ensure that educational resources remain affordable for students across Karnataka.
