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West Bengal to overhaul Bengali textbooks, phase out common words

A government-appointed committee in West Bengal is planning a comprehensive revision of Bengali language textbooks starting 2027, which will exclude commonly used words from everyday speech. The move aims to standardize and modernize the curriculum, though officials cited time constraints in limiting immediate changes.

LSN India · 29 October 2026

West Bengal to overhaul Bengali textbooks, phase out common words

A panel tasked with reviewing Bengali language education in West Bengal has proposed sweeping changes to school textbooks, set to be implemented from 2027 onwards. The revision will eliminate everyday words and phrases currently found in existing curricula, marking a significant departure from traditional teaching materials used across the state's schools.

The committee's recommendations signal an effort to reshape how Bengali is taught to students, focusing on standardized language usage. Officials overseeing the textbook reform acknowledged that the scope of modifications reflects practical constraints, with committee members working under considerable time pressure to complete their assessment.

The proposed changes represent one of the most substantial curriculum updates in recent years for Bengali medium education in West Bengal. School administrators and educators are expected to prepare for the transition period, as districts begin aligning instructional materials with the new guidelines.

The 2027 implementation timeline provides schools and publishing houses roughly two years to adapt to the new standards. Education officials have indicated that the revision process will continue to evolve as stakeholders provide feedback on the proposed changes to the state's Bengali language syllabus.