Close-up of young people holding mobile phones. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday (February 5, 2026) announced a complete ban on the use of mobile phones by students in all government and private schools across the state with effect from March 1, 2026.
The announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the 69th Under-19 Girls National School Handball Tournament held at Ghumarwin in Bilaspur district.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to providing world class education that would enable the students to compete on the global stage.
Fine and confiscation
Mr Sukhu detailed the strict enforcement measures and said any student caught in possession of the phone would face a fine of ₹500 and confiscation of the device.
“In addition, parents will be required to attend mandatory counseling sessions at the school. To ensure long-term compliance, the education ministry has been tasked with drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address repeated violations,” the chief minister said.
“It has been observed that the use of mobile phones during lunch breaks and school hours distracts students from their studies and interpersonal growth,” noted Mr. Sukhu.
Drawing on his own background as a product of the government school system, he reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing quality education.
Mr. Sukhu also highlighted the state’s aggressive push to promote sports and sports tourism. He announced that the state government would provide job opportunities to female athletes from Himachal Pradesh who recently competed in the Asian Games.
He announced a prize money of ₹ 20 lakh to celebrate team Himachal’s victory in the National Handball Championship.
During the event, Mr. Sukhu set several infrastructure targets, including speeding up the completion of the indoor stadium in Ghumarwin and the local school building within the next year. He also announced the construction of a new girls’ hostel in Morsinga.
The 69th National School Games ended with the Himachal Pradesh team winning the gold medal after defeating Rajasthan in the final match, while Haryana claimed third place. 30 teams from all over the country took part in the tournament.
Published – 05 Feb 2026 18:22 IST
