The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has officially launched the National Reading Campaign 2025 to promote reading habits among school-going children, especially in Tier-2 and rural areas. This pan-India initiative aims to distribute free children’s books, host interactive reading activities, and integrate story-based learning across schools, libraries, and community centers.
The campaign is part of India’s broader literacy improvement strategy under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on foundational learning by Class 3 and building curiosity-driven education models. The reading program india is especially designed for students from Classes 1 to 8, with a focus on children from underprivileged or first-generation learning backgrounds.
Why the Campaign Was Launched in 2025
Although India has achieved near-universal primary enrollment, reading outcomes remain a concern. Multiple ASER reports have shown that many children in Class 5 struggle to read even a Class 2 level textbook.
To address this:
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The National Reading Campaign focuses on early intervention through storytelling, picture books, and guided group reading.
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Children will be encouraged to read for fun, not just for exams.
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Reading corners, digital libraries, and read-aloud sessions will help turn schools into learning hubs.
The government aims to reach 20 million children by the end of 2025 through this mission.
Key Features of the Reading Campaign
The reading program india 2025 rollout includes several exciting and inclusive features:
1. Free Book Distribution
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Over 2 crore multilingual books (Hindi, English, Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, etc.) will be distributed to government schools.
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Books include stories, rhymes, biographies, comics, and moral tales suitable for different age groups.
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Special collections for girls, tribal children, and children with disabilities.
2. ‘One Hour, One Story’ Sessions
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Weekly school-based activity where students gather to listen to or read a story aloud.
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Conducted by teachers, local volunteers, or trained student leaders.
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Sessions end with discussions, drawing, or enacting the story.
3. Reading Corners in Classrooms
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Each classroom will have a mini-library of 30–50 books.
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Children can borrow and return books freely to encourage independent exploration.
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Teachers will maintain logs and reward regular readers with certificates.
4. Community Engagement and Book Donation Drives
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RWAs, youth clubs, and local NGOs encouraged to donate gently used children’s books.
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Parents invited to monthly “Book Circle” days in schools.
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Gram Panchayats to hold reading competitions and fairs.
5. Mobile Library Vans
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Operated by state education departments in rural belts.
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Reach out to remote villages on a weekly rotation.
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Vans carry books, tablets for digital reading, and activity kits.
6. Integration with Digital Platforms
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All distributed books will be made available on DIKSHA, ePathshala, and NIPUN Bharat portals.
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Students can also access audiobooks and interactive storyboards through the Reading India app.
Regions and Schools Covered in Phase 1
The first rollout of the campaign covers schools in the following states:
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Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh – due to large student base
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Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh – focus on tribal literacy
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Rajasthan, Assam, and Tamil Nadu – language diversity and community participation
More states will be added by October 2025, and the campaign is expected to be nationwide by March 2026.
Role of Teachers and Librarians
Teachers will be trained under the Foundational Literacy Training Module, where they will:
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Learn how to conduct storytelling sessions
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Get familiar with age-appropriate books and reading levels
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Track progress of students using reading logs and feedback cards
School librarians will also coordinate with NGOs and book distributors to update collections and rotate books quarterly for variety.
Special Features for Students with Disabilities
The reading program india ensures inclusivity through:
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Braille storybooks
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Audiobooks with navigation support
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Large print editions
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Sign-language-based video stories on DIKSHA
Children with special needs will also get personalized reading mentors under state-level resource centers.
FAQs
Who can participate in the National Reading Campaign 2025?
All students from Classes 1 to 8 in government and aided schools are automatically included. Private schools can participate voluntarily through district education offices.
Are the books really free?
Yes. Books distributed under this program are free of cost for students and schools. Even digital content on government apps is 100% free.
Can parents get involved in the reading sessions?
Absolutely. Schools are encouraged to involve parents in weekend reading events, book fairs, and donation drives. Parent engagement is a key part of the campaign.
What languages are the books available in?
Books are being published in over 15 Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bengali, and tribal dialects as per region.
How can schools request extra books?
Schools can log a request through the Samagra Shiksha portal or contact their District Education Officer (DEO). Additional books will be dispatched in phases.
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