Madhya Pradesh to transfer ₹600 to 5.8 million students for school uniforms
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved a direct-benefit transfer of ₹600 per student to 5.8 million pupils in classes 1-8, funding uniform purchases for the 2026-27 session.
Facing delays and legal challenges in awarding a uniform-supply contract, the Madhya Pradesh government decided to bypass the tender and provide a cash allowance instead. The state cabinet, led by minister Chetan Kashyap, approved ₹348.07 crore to disburse ₹600 to each of the 5.8 million students enrolled in classes 1-8 of government schools for the 2026-27 session. Payments will be made via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts.
Earlier, the high court had stayed the finalisation of a ₹350-crore tender after objections from garment manufacturers and concerns over eligibility criteria. The new approach aims to ensure uniforms are available on time, and the council also announced a 20 % reservation for Agniveers in uniformed services. This move seeks to mitigate the impact of the stalled tender on millions of families.
Why it matters
It guarantees that millions of schoolchildren receive uniforms despite procurement delays, reducing financial strain on families.
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