Assam school uniform policy: Pegu defends polyester-cotton blend standards
Synopsis
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu pushed back against allegations of excessive polyester in state-issued school uniforms, revealing that 100% polyester uniforms are banned and a minimum 30% cotton content is mandated — verified through random lab testing. The disclosure raises a pointed question: if the standards exist, why are concerns still surfacing?
Key Takeaways
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu defended the state's school uniform policy on 27 June in Sivasagar .
The government has banned 100% polyester uniforms; specifications require at least 30% cotton in the fabric blend.
Random samples from schools are sent for laboratory testing to verify compliance with prescribed standards.
Suppliers found violating norms are issued notices and face further action.
Pegu invited complaints about specific schools where polyester content allegedly exceeds limits, promising immediate verification.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Saturday, 27 June defended the state government's school uniform procurement policy, stating that strict fabric specifications are enforced and that laboratory tests are conducted to verify the polyester-cotton composition of uniforms supplied to government schools. His remarks came in response to mounting concerns over the alleged excessive use of polyester in state-issued uniforms.
What the Policy Mandates
Speaking to reporters in Sivasagar, Pegu clarified that the government has explicitly prohibited uniforms made entirely of polyester. 'We have prohibited 100 per cent polyester uniforms. The specifications require around 30 per cent cotton in the fabric, and this is verified through laboratory testing,' he said. The minister emphasised that procurement follows approved standards for blended fabric and that these standards have been in place for some time.
How Quality Is Monitored
According to Pegu, the government conducts random sampling of uniforms collected from schools and sends them to laboratories to check whether the fabric meets prescribed blend ratios. Suppliers found to be in violation of the norms are issued notices, and further action is initiated against them. 'The specifications clearly mention the required polyester and cotton composition. We conduct laboratory tests on randomly collected samples from schools to check whether the fabric meets the prescribed standards,' the minister said.
Government's Response to Health Concerns
Addressing concerns raised by some experts over the potential health impact of polyester-heavy fabrics on schoolchildren, Pegu urged a measured perspective. 'Today, many garments available in the market contain polyester blends. It is not correct to say that every polyester fabric is harmful. The important issue is whether the prescribed blend of cotton and polyester has been maintained,' he said. The minister stopped short of dismissing the concerns entirely, acknowledging that the composition standards exist precisely to address such issues.
Accountability and Next Steps
Pegu assured that the government is prepared to investigate any specific school where uniforms are found to exceed the prescribed polyester limit. 'If anyone points out a particular school where the polyester content exceeds the prescribed limit, we will immediately conduct a verification. We are already carrying out random testing of uniforms supplied to educational institutions,' he added. The assurance signals that the state is open to complaint-driven audits alongside its existing random-testing regime. The minister reiterated that the government remains committed to quality standards across its school welfare programmes.
Point of View
The persistence of public concern suggests either the testing is not frequent enough or its findings are not being communicated to parents and schools. The 30% cotton floor is a reasonable baseline, but without publicly accessible test results or a grievance portal, the assurance remains largely administrative. Assam's school uniform programme is a significant welfare spend; the accountability architecture around it needs to be as visible as the policy itself.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Assam's policy on polyester in school uniforms?
The Assam government has banned uniforms made entirely of polyester and mandates that the fabric contain at least 30% cotton. Compliance is verified through laboratory testing of random samples collected from schools.
How does the Assam government check uniform quality?
Random samples of uniforms supplied to government schools are collected and sent for laboratory testing to verify that the polyester-cotton blend meets prescribed specifications. Suppliers who fail to meet standards are issued notices.
What action is taken against suppliers who violate uniform norms?
According to Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, suppliers found violating the prescribed fabric specifications are issued notices and face appropriate action from the state government.
Are polyester school uniforms harmful to children's health?
Some experts have raised concerns about the health impact of polyester-heavy fabrics on children. Minister Pegu acknowledged these concerns but argued that polyester blends are widely used in everyday garments and that the key issue is whether the prescribed cotton-polyester ratio is maintained.
What should parents do if their child's school uniform does not meet standards?
Minister Pegu has invited complaints about specific schools where uniforms appear to exceed the prescribed polyester limit, promising immediate verification by the government. Parents can raise concerns directly with education authorities.
