Sat Jan 03 04:57:30 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Rajasthan government has mandated daily newspaper reading for students in all government schools. The initiative, effective immediately, requires students to read for at least 10 minutes during morning assembly. The goal is to promote reading habits, improve vocabulary, enhance general awareness, and prepare students for competitive exams. Schools are required to subscribe to both Hindi and English newspapers, explain new words daily, and encourage discussions on editorials and current events. The Rajasthan School Education Council will cover the subscription costs. This follows a similar initiative in Uttar Pradesh.
News Article:
Rajasthan Makes Newspaper Reading Mandatory in Schools to Boost Literacy and Awareness
Jaipur, India – January 3, 2026: In a bid to foster a culture of reading and improve general knowledge, the Rajasthan government has issued an order mandating daily newspaper reading in all government schools across the state. Effective immediately, students will dedicate at least 10 minutes during the morning assembly to engage with news publications.
The initiative, announced on December 31st, aims to familiarize students with current affairs, enhance their vocabulary, and develop analytical skills from an early age. The School Education Department directive requires government senior secondary and English-medium schools to subscribe to at least two newspapers – one in Hindi and one in English. Upper primary schools must provide at least two Hindi newspapers.
“This program is designed not only to improve students’ general knowledge and social awareness but also to prepare them better for competitive examinations,” a government official stated.
Schools are further instructed to select five new words from the newspapers daily and explain their meanings to students, reinforcing language skills. During morning assemblies, excerpts from national-level newspapers in both English and Hindi will be read aloud. Students will also be divided by class and encouraged to discuss editorials and major national, international, and sporting events.
The Rajasthan School Education Council, Jaipur, will bear the costs associated with newspaper subscriptions.
This initiative mirrors a similar move made in Uttar Pradesh last week, suggesting a growing trend towards incorporating newspaper reading into the daily educational routine across India.
First Piper 