NEW DELHI: National Council of Educational Research and Training NCERT has reported the circulation of unauthorized and pirated copies of its textbooks in print and digital formats on several platforms in India.He said that a fake version of the textbook Social Science Class IX Part 1 Understanding Society India & Beyond is circulating through social networking channel websites and messaging groups without approval from the Board.Beware of fake NCERT textbooksNCERT has clarified that textbooks are published printed and released only through official channels and no book is authorized for circulation before release.He added that such unauthorized content may be inaccurate, incomplete, manipulated or fabricated and should not be relied upon by parents of students’ teachers or the general public.Official sources for NCERT textbooksStakeholders have been advised to access NCERT textbooks only through official sources including The website of NCERT, ePathshala, NCERT Textbook Portal, vendor list, soft copies. Legal action and reportingNCERT said it is taking legal action against individuals and entities involved in piracy and circulation of fake content under the Copyright Act 1957 and other applicable laws and urged the public to report unauthorized activities via secy.ncert@nic.inThe Council reiterated that no textbook is authorized for circulation before the official release and that all stakeholders should avoid unverified link applications and messaging groups that claim to provide NCERT materials or pre-release content.Digital copies are available for free on official NCERT platforms and authorized systems which ensure that students and teachers have access to verified learning material without dependence on third-party sources.Unauthorized reproduction distribution and digital circulation of NCERT copyright material is illegal and punishable under the Copyright Act 1957.Students, parents and teachers are advised to check all educational content only from NCERT verified sources and ignore any claims circulating on social media websites or messaging platforms.NCERT is coordinating with relevant authorities to identify sources of fake content and restrict access to unauthorized distribution channels.All stakeholders are encouraged to trust the official NCERT ePathshala website and authorized vendors for authentic textbooks and to report suspicious links promptly to prevent misinformation and safeguard academic integrity in schools and digital learning platforms in the country, ensuring that students and educators access verified content through trusted government resources at all times without relying on third-party online channels in India.
