The Madhya Pradesh government will transfer Rs 600 each to around 58 lakh government school students for purchasing uniforms after a tender dispute stalled its plan to provide stitched uniforms for the 2026-27 academic session.
The decision was taken by the state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday. The amount will be transferred through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism to eligible students from Classes 1 to 8, allowing their families to purchase uniforms instead of waiting for the government’s procurement process to be completed.
Rs 348 crore outlay
At Rs 600 for each of the approximately 58 lakh students, the government is expected to spend around Rs 348 crore on the uniform assistance. The amount is intended to cover two sets of school uniforms for each eligible student.
The state’s free-uniform scheme covers children enrolled in Classes 1 to 8 in government primary and middle schools. Under the scheme, assistance of Rs 600 is provided to each eligible student for two sets of uniforms.
Tender hits roadblock
The government had earlier decided to provide two stitched uniforms to students instead of transferring money directly. A tender was subsequently floated for procuring uniforms for students across the state.
The procurement process, however, ran into a legal dispute and was halted following an interim order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. With the academic session already underway and the procurement process yet to move forward, the School Education Department proposed reverting to direct cash assistance.
Back to cash transfers
The decision marks another change in the way Madhya Pradesh delivers free uniforms to government school students. The state has used different models over the years, including direct financial assistance and uniforms stitched through women’s self-help groups.
Delays in procurement and distribution have periodically affected the programme. Direct transfers are expected to allow families to purchase uniforms themselves instead of waiting for a centralised procurement and distribution process to be completed.
Two uniforms for students
Under the government scheme, eligible students are entitled to two sets of uniforms every academic year. The programme is aimed at reducing the financial burden on families and ensuring that children attending government schools have access to prescribed uniforms.
The Rs 600 assistance will now be credited directly to beneficiaries under the DBT mechanism. The government expects the decision to benefit around 58 lakh students across Madhya Pradesh.
Money through DBT
With the Cabinet’s approval, the government will rely on direct transfers rather than wait for the tender process to conclude. The move is expected to involve an expenditure of approximately Rs 348 crore.
The change also places responsibility for purchasing uniforms with beneficiary families rather than government-appointed suppliers or other agencies, while retaining the assistance at Rs 600 per student.