School Supply Prices Rise 20-30% in Pune, Adding to Parents’ Financial Burden
School Supply Prices Rise 20-30% in Pune, Adding to Parents' Financial Burden
Pune, June 16, 2026: As the new academic year begins, parents across Pune are facing a significant increase in the cost of school essentials, with prices of textbooks, notebooks, uniforms, shoes and school bags rising by 20-30% compared to last year.
The surge in prices has added to the financial pressure on families already dealing with higher school fees and transportation costs. Parents shopping for back-to-school supplies in various city markets reported a noticeable jump in education-related expenses this season.
According to traders, the price hike is primarily driven by increased costs of paper, raw materials, transportation, printing and manufacturing.
Market estimates suggest that expenditure on books and notebooks has risen from ₹2,500-₹4,500 per student last year to ₹3,000-₹5,500 this year. Uniform costs have increased from ₹1,500-₹3,000 to ₹2,000-₹4,000, while school shoes now cost between ₹800 and ₹2,000, compared to ₹600-₹1,500 a year ago.
The cost of school bags, lunch boxes and water bottles has also climbed sharply. Families are now spending between ₹2,500 and ₹5,000 on these items, compared to ₹1,500-₹3,000 last year.
“With school fees increasing every year, these additional expenses are placing tremendous pressure on household budgets,” said Sunita Patil, a parent.
Another parent, Arvind Jain, noted that even basic stationery items have become considerably more expensive. “A notebook that cost ₹60 or ₹70 last year is now priced close to ₹100. For families with two or three children, managing these expenses has become increasingly difficult,” he said.
Retailers said the increase in prices reflects rising input costs rather than higher profit margins. Mahesh Agrawal, a stationery shop owner in Kalyaninagar, said paper prices have increased significantly over the past year, while transportation and printing costs have also gone up.
“We are not making excessive profits. We are simply passing on the increased costs,” Agrawal said.
Traders added that branded school bags, raincoats and PT shoes have also become more expensive this season. Kantilal Rathi, a shopkeeper in Appa Balwant Chowk, attributed the rise to higher production costs and shortages of certain raw materials.
Parents also pointed out that increasing fuel prices have led to higher school bus and autorickshaw fares, further straining household finances. Many have urged the government to reduce GST on educational materials and introduce measures to control the prices of essential school supplies.
With the academic year underway, families across Pune are reassessing their budgets as education-related expenses continue to rise across multiple categories.
