Uttar Pradesh schools will now implement mandatory daily newspaper reading for all students. An order issued on December 23, 2025 , by Additional Chief Secretary Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, outlines these new guidelines. The directive applies to all secondary and basic primary schools across the state. It aims to strengthen reading culture, improve student vocabulary, and curb excessive screen time.
Core Directives
The new mandate requires students to access government district libraries. Students must also issue a minimum of one non-syllabus book every week from these libraries. This provision seeks to broaden students’ general knowledge beyond academic curricula. It also encourages independent reading habits.
Daily Reading Protocol
Schools must dedicate at least 10 minutes daily during the morning assembly for newspaper reading. Both Hindi and English newspapers will be made available within school libraries. Students will read out key editorials and major news developments. This practice will rotate daily, covering national, international, and sports news sections.
A “word of the day” exercise forms another key component. Each day, five difficult words will be selected directly from the newspapers. These words will be prominently displayed on the school notice board. This exercise is designed to actively improve student vocabulary and language comprehension.
Educational Objectives and Skills Development
The daily morning assembly readings serve multiple educational objectives. Students reading news aloud will enhance their confidence and pronunciation skills. This practice also aims to significantly improve general awareness among students. Officials expect this initiative to sharpen students’ critical thinking abilities. It also targets improved language skills.
The program further intends to equip students with tools to identify fake news. It seeks to provide a strong foundation of knowledge, preparing students for future competitive examinations. This comprehensive approach aims for holistic student development.
Curriculum Integration and Competitions
Specific activities are integrated into the curriculum for different age groups. Students in classes 9 to 12 are now required to write weekly editorial essays. These older students will also participate in debates centered on contemporary social issues, fostering analytical thought and expression.
For younger students, classes 6 to 8 will create scrapbooks. These scrapbooks will utilize news clippings on designated topics. Focus areas include science and the environment. This hands-on activity encourages research and creative presentation skills.
Schools are also encouraged to launch their own newspapers. Furthermore, they should organize various competitions. These include crosswords and Sudoku. Such activities are designed to actively improve students’ logical thinking capabilities and engagement with current events.