The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a reading initiative for the 2026-27 academic session to encourage students to move away from screens and foster a culture of reading. An order issued on May 13 by Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, the additional chief secretary for secondary and basic education, directs all government and aided schools in the state to implement a 'reading campaign' and 'reading hours' program. Schools are required to provide newspapers to students and hold news reading sessions during morning assemblies, aiming to enhance vocabulary, logical thinking, and social awareness. Special focus will be on Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya institutions and school libraries. The initiative promotes the slogan 'Books, not bouquets', encouraging institutions to present books during award ceremonies instead of traditional mementoes. Schools will also form 'Reading Clubs' and conduct weekly 'DEAR' (Drop Everything and Read) sessions. Monthly 'Reading Quiz Festivals' will be organized, and students will be recognized through programs like 'Super-20 Readers' and 'Champion Reader of the Year'. The education department emphasizes that expenses for these activities will be funded through schools' composite grant funds, urging officials to ensure the campaign effectively reaches every student in Uttar Pradesh.