Providing Safe and Durable Text Books

Action has been taken against criminals involved in manufacture, distribution and sale of pirated NCERT textbooks

Adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards piracy of NCERT textbooks, which is a cognizable offence under the Copyright Act, 1957, NCERT in the last 14 months, along with the respective Police authorities, has seized more than 5 lakh copies of pirated NCERT textbooks, huge quantity of printing paper and machinery worth more than Rs. 20 Crore, while registering a record 29 FIRs against printers, warehouse owners, and retailers of pirated NCERT textbooks.

Continuing its drive against such criminals, NCERT, along with the UP Police, conducted a raid on a warehouse in Muzaffarnagar and seized over 1.5 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks worth over Rs. 2 Crore, one truck, and two cars loaded with pirated textbooks, as well as a large number of printing plates. Eight accused were arrested on the spot.

In fact, altogether, in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Police, NCERT has seized more than five lakh pirated textbooks, along with large volumes of printing equipment and raw materials valued at Rs 20 crore over the last 14 months.

A total of 29 FIRs have been registered so far against various warehouse owners, printers, and sellers found involved in this illegal network of counterfeit book manufacturing and distribution.

In continuation of this action, a printing press in Samalkha (Haryana) was also raided and a large number of printing plates being used for printing pirated NCERT textbooks, copies of pirated textbooks, and machinery were seized. Further investigation is underway to identify the masterminds behind the racket of manufacturing, distributing, and selling pirated NCERT textbooks.

These fake textbooks, printed on substandard paper with low-quality ink, also create problems for students who unknowingly purchase them.

Responding to the growing issue, NCERT has rolled out several corrective steps: it has mandated a notable improvement in the quality of paper and printing, ensured timely printing and adequate availability of textbooks in the market, and enforced stricter checks on manufacturers, printers, and distributors.

Additionally, action has been taken against a Kashipur-based paper mill producing illegal NCERT watermarked paper. NCERT is also working to guarantee that textbooks are available on e-commerce platforms at reasonable prices with no delivery charges.

To curb the menace of pirated textbooks, which not only cause revenue loss to NCERT and the Government but are also a health hazard for school children on account of the poor paper and ink quality, NCERT has initiated the following steps:

1. Significant improvement in quality of paper and printing of NCERT textbooks;

2. Ensuring timely printing of NCERT textbooks and their availability in adequate numbers in the market;

3. Proactive action against printers, distributors and retailers of pirated textbooks;

4. Introduction of a technology-based anti-piracy solution developed by IIT Kanpur in NCERT textbooks. This solution has been piloted on 10 lakh copies of one title and shall be scaled up to all titles in the next academic year, replacing the old watermarked paper, which has become redundant and is easily copied by pirates.

NCERT has promised that it shall continue its action against criminals indulging in the printing, distribution and sale of pirated NCERT textbooks. Students, parents and teachers are requested to kindly bring to the notice of NCERT any instance of the sale of pirated NCERT textbooks at pd.ncert[at]nic[dot]in.