Jaipur: Guide books—once treated as taboo in Rajasthan schools, with teachers facing action if students were found carrying them—have now been formally allowed after the department of secondary education withdrew its nine-year-old ban.In an order issued Monday by the office of the director of secondary education in Bikaner, the department withdrew earlier instructions “with immediate effect”, citing a Feb 12, 2026, order of the Rajasthan high court. The order says the decision was taken after consulting the Legal Cell and relevant officials.The department had earlier prohibited guide books being used as substitutes for prescribed textbooks to ensure adherence to the curriculum. The ban was challenged in court.“With this order, there will be no disciplinary action on teachers if guide books are found with students in school. Till now, if such books were found then the teacher was answerable, but now students can use these books for additional help,” said a senior official from the education directorate in Bikaner.The order rescinds earlier directives dated Nov 6, 2023, and March 13, 2018, lifting the ban on guide books in schools. Officials said the move will help students prepare for examinations and give teachers access to additional resources, while monitoring and guidelines will continue to ensure educational quality.
