The story of Urmila Books is deeply rooted in the legacy of Pragati Prakashan, a publishing house founded in 1955 by Late Shri K. K. Mittal. For nearly seven decades, Pragati Prakashan has been a trailblazer in educational publishing, shaping the landscape of Indian academic literature. Following in the footsteps of this legacy, Mr. Sanjay Mittal, the son of Late Shri K. K. Mittal, established Urmila Books with the same passion and dedication, but with a modern vision for the future of books and digital learning.

Our Founding Father

Late Shri K. K. Mittal's vision was to bridge the gap between Indian students and the educational resources they needed to succeed. At a time when post-colonial India was still heavily dependent on foreign authors, Shri Mittal championed the cause of Indian authors and ensured that students had access to high-quality books tailored to the Indian syllabus. His pioneering spirit laid the foundation for Pragati Prakashan's success, and his unwavering commitment to educational publishing earned him widespread respect in the academic community.

He established Pragati Prakashan in 1955. Since then it has been instrumental in providing Indian students with high-quality, indigenous educational content. The publishing house began with a focus on Mathematics textbooks and soon expanded its offerings to include higher education titles in subjects like Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. It was among the first in India to publish books by Indian authors for postgraduate students, breaking the reliance on foreign texts that dominated the academic landscape at the time.

Over the decades, Pragati Prakashan diversified into various fields, including Environmental Science, Professional Management, and Information Technology. In 1975, under his guidance, Pragati Prakashan also began publishing the international research journal ACTA CIENCIA INDICA in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, which has since become a renowned publication in its field.

The establishment of U.P. Technical University in 2000 saw Pragati Prakashan take a leadership role in publishing textbooks for emerging fields of study. Today, it has over 600 titles, contributing significantly to education in India and beyond.

Carrying Forward the Legacy

Mr. Sanjay Mittal has been an integral part of the Indian publishing industry for over four decades. Son of Late Shri K. K. Mittal, he grew up immersed in the world of books and played a pivotal role in expanding the reach and influence of Pragati Prakashan. Serving as Managing Director of Pragati Prakashan for more than 40 years, Mr. Mittal spearheaded numerous initiatives that modernized the company’s operations and broadened its scope to include professional courses, competitive examination materials, and digital publishing.

In 1987, he established Pragati Laser Type Setters Pvt. Ltd., one of the first desktop publishing units in India, revolutionizing the way books were designed and printed. His forward-thinking approach to technology and publishing set a new standard for the industry.

In 2024, Mr. Sanjay Mittal founded Urmila Books, an online bookstore that blends the rich tradition of his family’s publishing heritage with modern digital innovations. With the establishment of Urmila Books, he continues to embrace innovation. He has successfully transitioned into the digital marketplace, combining his vast experience in traditional publishing with modern e-commerce strategies to make quality books accessible to readers across India and beyond.

Urmila Books is the continuation of the values and principles that have guided Pragati Prakashan since its inception. While Pragati Prakashan revolutionized the publishing of academic texts in India, Urmila Books is dedicated to expanding access to a broader array of literature and educational resources in the digital age. Together, these two entities reflect the Mittal family's enduring contribution to the world of books and education, with a shared mission of making knowledge accessible to all.

Note: "Pragati Prakashan" and "Pragati" logo are trademark and copyright of Pragati Prakashan Pvt. Ltd. and are used here for representational purposes only.