NCERT and Police Crack Down on Pirated Textbooks; Over 5 Lakh Copies Seized in 14-Month Operation
Delhi : In a major crackdown on the piracy of NCERT textbooks, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in collaboration with various police departments, has intensified its campaign against the manufacture, distribution, and sale of pirated educational material. Over the past 14 months, authorities have seized more than 5 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks, printing paper, and machinery worth over ₹20 crore, and registered 29 FIRs against those involved, including printers, warehouse owners, and retailers.
As part of this sustained drive, a recent joint operation by NCERT and the Uttar Pradesh Police led to a raid on a warehouse in Muzaffarnagar. The raid uncovered more than 1.5 lakh pirated textbooks valued at over ₹2 crore. Authorities also seized one truck, two cars loaded with pirated materials, and a large cache of printing plates. Eight individuals were arrested on the spot.
In a related development, another raid was conducted at a printing press in Samalkha, Haryana. A substantial number of pirated books, printing plates, and machinery were confiscated. Investigations are ongoing to trace the masterminds behind this large-scale piracy racket.
Highlighting the grave consequences of such illegal activities, NCERT emphasized that piracy not only results in significant financial losses to the government but also poses health hazards to students due to the use of substandard ink and paper.
To counteract textbook piracy, NCERT has rolled out several key measures:
1. Enhanced Paper and Print Quality: Upgradation of materials used in official NCERT textbooks.
2. Timely Printing and Distribution: Ensuring textbooks are available in sufficient quantities before the academic session begins.
3. Strict Enforcement Measures: Continued legal action against all players in the piracy chain.
4. Action Against Illegal Paper Mills: Crackdown on units producing counterfeit NCERT watermarked paper, including one in Kashipur.
5. E-commerce Availability: Genuine NCERT books are now available at MRP on major e-commerce platforms with no delivery charges.
6. Technology-based Anti-Piracy Solution: Developed by IIT Kanpur, this solution has been piloted in 10 lakh copies and will soon be expanded across all NCERT publications. It will replace outdated watermarking methods that are easily duplicated.
NCERT reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards textbook piracy and has urged students, teachers, and parents to report instances of pirated textbook sales by writing to: pd.ncert@nic.in
