Govt seizes over 4.7 lakh counterfeit NCERT books since 2024

The government has seized approximately 4.71 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks from various states since 2024, the Rajya Sabha was informed on July 12.

Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary shared the data in a written reply, noting that piracy of NCERT books has been reported from multiple parts of the country.

"Instances of piracy of NCERT textbooks have been received from different parts of the country. During the years 2024 and 2025, approximately 4.71 lakh pirated copies of NCERT textbooks have been seized in various operations across different states. Piracy is driven primarily by commercial motives of unscrupulous elements," Chaudhary said.

He said NCERT’s mission is to ensure affordable, quality textbooks reach students nationwide.

"The main objective of NCERT is to provide quality textbooks at a very affordable price to the last student across the country, on a no-profit and no-loss basis," he added.

Over the past year, NCERT has conducted raids at 29 locations linked to the printing and distribution of counterfeit textbooks and illegal watermarked paper. Confiscated material, including machinery, is valued at over ₹20 crore.

Chaudhary listed several measures taken to address the issue, including a 20% price cut on NCERT books, improved paper and print quality using modern machines, faster textbook printing, and promotion of online sales via e-commerce platforms.

He also mentioned a tech-based anti-piracy trial conducted by NCERT using a solution developed and patented by IIT Kanpur.

"NCERT has also conducted a pilot trial of a technology-based anti-piracy solution on one million copies of a grade 6 textbook. This tech-based solution has been developed and patented by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur," he said.

The measures are aimed at disrupting the piracy network and making authentic textbooks more accessible to students across the country.