📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Yann Forget
Education
Madhya Pradesh's Rs 350 crore school uniform scheme stalls, 5.2 million students await
✍️ India Today
🗓 28 Aug 2026, 07:39 PM
👁 3
A Rs 350 crore government programme to supply school uniforms in Madhya Pradesh has encountered a legal obstacle, leaving roughly 5.2 million pupils without the promised clothing.
The Madhya Pradesh government announced a Rs 350 crore initiative aimed at providing school uniforms to children across the state. The scheme was intended to reduce the financial burden on families and promote uniformity in schools.
Earlier this week, a court order halted the rollout of the programme, citing procedural concerns. The injunction has effectively put the distribution on hold, creating a backlog of beneficiaries.
According to official estimates, about 5.2 million school‑age children are now waiting for the uniforms that were promised under the scheme. State officials have said they are reviewing the legal issues to resume the project as soon as possible.
The delay has drawn criticism from parents and education advocates, who argue that the lack of uniforms may affect school attendance and morale. The government has not yet announced a revised timeline for the distribution.
The situation underscores the challenges of implementing large‑scale welfare programmes when legal and administrative hurdles arise.
Earlier this week, a court order halted the rollout of the programme, citing procedural concerns. The injunction has effectively put the distribution on hold, creating a backlog of beneficiaries.
According to official estimates, about 5.2 million school‑age children are now waiting for the uniforms that were promised under the scheme. State officials have said they are reviewing the legal issues to resume the project as soon as possible.
The delay has drawn criticism from parents and education advocates, who argue that the lack of uniforms may affect school attendance and morale. The government has not yet announced a revised timeline for the distribution.
The situation underscores the challenges of implementing large‑scale welfare programmes when legal and administrative hurdles arise.