Pune to Host First-Ever Textbook Writing Orientation Workshop Under NEP 2020
Pune, 20th August 2025: For the very first time, Maharashtra will host a Textbook Writing Orientation Workshop under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The initiative, organized by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research (Balbharati), is aimed at developing textbooks of higher academic quality aligned with the new policy.
The two-day workshop is scheduled for August 22–23 at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, where over 500 education experts from across the state are expected to participate. The event will be formally inaugurated by School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse.
Explaining the objective, Balbharati Director Anuradha Oak said the program will help writers and experts design textbooks that align with NEP 2020 guidelines, particularly with respect to learning outcomes and assessment methods. She also added that Maharashtra aims to draw inspiration from NCERT’s textbook models to develop material that is both effective and student-centric.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Minister of State for School Education Pankaj Bhoyar, Principal Secretary Ranjitsingh Deol, Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh, SCERT Director Rahul Rekhawar, and Primary Education Director Sharad Gosavi.
Key speakers include internationally acclaimed mathematician Prof. Manjul Bhargava from Princeton University, Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, Gajanan Londhe from the National Curriculum Studies and Teaching Committee (NSTC), Dr. Indrani Bhaduri, CEO of PARAKH, and Dr. Madhushree Savji.
Balbharati has already rolled out new Class I textbooks for the 2025–26 academic session. Work is underway for Classes II, III, IV, and VI, which will be introduced in 2026–27.
The workshop will also host deliberations on NEP 2020, the National Curriculum Framework, the Indian Knowledge System, Panchkoshiya Vikas (five-fold development), and other innovative strategies to improve the quality, inclusivity, and effectiveness of school textbooks. Special sessions will focus on capacity-building for curriculum committee members.
