Over 4.7 lakh pirated NCERT books seized across India since 2024: Government
He reiterated NCERT's core mission to ensure access to high-quality, affordable educational resources for every student in the country. 'NCERT textbooks are produced on a no-profit, no-loss basis to reach even the last child,' he added.In the past year alone, NCERT has carried out raids on 29 locations suspected of being linked to the illegal production and distribution of pirated books. The raids, which also targeted manufacturers of fake NCERT watermarked paper, led to the seizure of stocks and printing equipment worth over Rs20 crore.To counter the deep-rooted piracy network, the council has implemented several initiatives. These include a 20% price reduction in textbook costs, timely printing schedules, enhanced paper and print quality using modern printing technologies, and expanded availability through e-commerce platforms.NCERT is also exploring technological solutions to fight piracy.In collaboration with IIT Kanpur, a pilot anti-piracy mechanism was tested on one million copies of a Class 6 textbook. The solution is patented and aimed at tracking and preventing the circulation of fake books.Meanwhile, the newly released NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook, titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1), has sparked discussion about omitting key historical figures like Tipu Sultan and Haidar Ali, as well as the Anglo-Mysore Wars, in its chapter on India's colonial period.The textbook covers the era from Vasco da Gama's arrival in the late 1400s up to the 1800s, including the Battle of Plassey and the 1857 uprising, portraying how one of the world's wealthiest lands was systematically impoverished during British rule. The second part of the textbook is expected to be released later this year.(With PTI inputs)- Ends
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