JAMMU, July 9: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has directed all government and recognised private schools, as well as coaching centres, to carry out a detailed review of books available on their premises to ensure that no publication contains objectionable material.
The instructions were issued through Circular No. 2-DSEK of 2026, dated July 6, directing Heads of Institutions (HOIs) to examine books kept in classrooms, school libraries, staff rooms and offices, including both newly purchased and older publications.
According to the circular, the exercise aims to ensure that educational material does not contain content that could hurt religious sentiments, promote inappropriate ideas for students, violate existing laws, undermine national interests or conflict with accepted educational values. It also states that all books should comply with the age-appropriate guidelines laid down in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Schools have been instructed to complete the review and submit a compliance certificate to the concerned Chief Education Officer (CEO) or Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) by July 13, 2026. The certificate should confirm that all books have been examined, no objectionable material has been found to the best of the institution’s knowledge, and that library books conform to NEP-2020 and relevant legal provisions.
If any objectionable content is detected, institutions have been asked to submit a separate report containing details such as the book’s title, author, publisher, year of publication and the number of copies available.
The circular further directs Zonal Education Officers to verify reports received from schools and coaching centres under their jurisdiction and forward consolidated reports to the respective Chief Education Officers by July 15. Chief Education Officers have been instructed to personally oversee the process, countersign the compliance certificates and submit them to the Directorate by July 17.
A committee comprising the Joint Directors (Central, North and South), the Additional Secretary (Law) and the OSD (CEW) of DSEK will compile district-wise reports and submit a final consolidated report to the Directorate by July 19, 2026.
The Directorate has warned that failure to comply with the directions or any negligence in carrying out the exercise will be treated seriously and may result in disciplinary action against the officials concerned.
