Pune : Parents Feel Heat as Prices of Notebooks, Uniforms Surge Upto 25% Before Schools Reopen

Pune, 27th May 2026: Parents preparing for the new academic year are set to face a steep rise in education-related expenses, as prices of school supplies have increased by 20 to 25 per cent this season amid higher fuel costs, rising transportation charges and an increase in raw material prices.

With schools scheduled to reopen in June, rates of notebooks, textbooks and other educational materials have surged across major markets in Pune. Traders and retailers have attributed the rise to higher global pulp and paper prices, escalating fuel costs and increased freight charges linked to the ongoing global geopolitical situation.

According to market estimates, the cost of raw materials used in paper manufacturing has risen significantly over the past few months, directly impacting notebook prices. Transport expenses have also more than doubled due to increasing diesel and petrol rates, leading to a 10 to 15 per cent rise in notebook prices compared to last year.

Apart from textbooks, prices of guides, workbooks and supplementary study material used by school students have also increased by over 20 per cent, adding to the financial burden on families.

School uniforms, too, have become costlier this year. Retailers said fabric prices have gone up substantially, while higher labour charges for tailoring and manufacturing have pushed uniform prices up by 10 to 20 per cent.

Despite the price rise, parents said educational expenses cannot be avoided, resulting in growing concern among middle-class and lower-income families over the impact on household budgets. Many have urged the government to intervene and address the rising costs of essential school supplies.