Over 4.7 Lakh Pirated NCERT Textbooks Seized Since 2024: Govt Cracks Down on Academic Piracy

In a significant revelation during a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, disclosed that more than 4.71 lakh pirated copies of NCERT textbooks have been seized across the country since 2024. The large-scale operations underscore the growing challenge of academic piracy and the government’s intensified efforts to safeguard the integrity and affordability of educational resources.

“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 have been seized in various operations across different states. Piracy is driven primarily by commercial motives of unscrupulous elements,” said Chaudhary in his statement.

29 Raids and Rs 20 Crore Worth of Stock Seized

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in its unprecedented anti-piracy campaign, carried out raids on 29 different locations connected to the production and sale of counterfeit textbooks. These operations were not limited to seizing fake books but also extended to confiscating illegal NCERT watermarked paper and other production equipment. The total value of the seized stock and materials crossed Rs 20 crore, indicating the massive scale of this illegal industry.

Mission of NCERT: Affordable Quality Education

The Minister reiterated that the core mission of NCERT is to provide quality textbooks at the lowest possible price to students throughout India, operating strictly on a no-profit, no-loss basis. This mission is being jeopardized by piracy rings that not only steal intellectual content but also compromise the quality of education for lakhs of students.

“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,” Chaudhary emphasized.

Proactive Measures to Counter Piracy

In response to the surge in piracy, NCERT has initiated a series of strong preventive measures designed to dismantle the roots of the counterfeit supply chain. These include:

• A 20% reduction in textbook prices to discourage consumers from turning to cheaper pirated alternatives.
• Timely printing and distribution of textbooks to meet demand and avoid delays that could create a market for illegal copies.
• Use of modern printing machines to enhance the quality of textbooks and make piracy more difficult.
• Promotion of online sales through verified e-commerce platforms to offer easy, safe, and reliable access to textbooks.

These steps aim to reduce the financial incentive for counterfeiters while ensuring that students can access genuine textbooks affordably and without delay.

Tech-Based Anti-Piracy Pilot Initiative

In a promising step toward long-term solutions, NCERT recently conducted a pilot trial of a technology-driven anti-piracy solution on one million copies of a Grade 6 textbook. This innovative solution, developed and patented by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, aims to make textbooks traceable and more secure from duplication.

Although still in the pilot phase, this technology could mark a turning point in the fight against textbook piracy if expanded across other grades and subjects in the coming years.

Curriculum Controversy: Class 8 Textbook Omits Tipu Sultan and Haidar Ali

Alongside these developments, NCERT’s new Class 8 Social Science textbook has stirred academic and political discussions by omitting key historical figures such as Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali, and the Anglo-Mysore Wars from the chapter on India’s colonial past.

The updated textbook, titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1)”, was released this week for the ongoing academic session. It includes content that covers the period from the arrival of Vasco da Gama in the late 1400s to the Great Indian Rebellion of 1857, focusing on how India, once one of the richest lands in the world, became one of the poorest under colonial exploitation.

The chapter covers important events like the Battle of Plassey in 1757, which marked the East India Company’s decisive victory over the Nawab of Bengal and catalyzed British political dominance. It also discusses the drain of India’s wealth, emphasizing how British economic policies impoverished the nation during the colonial era.

Part 2 of this textbook is expected to be released later this year.

The Broader Impact of Academic Piracy

The seizure of lakhs of pirated books signals more than just a legal violation—it reveals how widespread textbook piracy undermines not only intellectual property rights but also the accessibility, affordability, and quality of education for Indian students. Counterfeit books often lack proper content, quality printing, and accuracy, leading to misinformation or learning gaps.

By conducting widespread raids and introducing technological and economic measures, NCERT’s campaign is a vital move toward ensuring equitable education for all students, especially in underprivileged communities where access to genuine textbooks is crucial.

Looking Ahead

The Education Ministry's recent crackdown on textbook piracy, combined with forward-thinking initiatives like price reductions and tech-based tracking, reflects a strong stance on preserving the integrity of India’s public education system. However, the parallel debate around content revisions in textbooks underscores the need for transparency, inclusivity, and historical accuracy in curriculum design.

As the NCERT continues its mission to educate the nation, both its logistical and ideological decisions will play a pivotal role in shaping the academic experiences of India’s next generation.