The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued a public advisory urging students, parents, teachers, schools, and booksellers to remain vigilant against fake and pirated NCERT textbooks being circulated through online platforms and unauthorised sources. The council warned that counterfeit versions of its textbooks are being shared on websites, social media platforms, messaging apps, and even sold in some markets, posing a serious risk to students’ learning.
Among the books flagged by NCERT is a fake version of the newly introduced Class 9 Social Science textbook titled Understanding Society: India & Beyond. According to the council, these unauthorised copies do not represent the official NCERT publication and may contain incorrect, incomplete, outdated, or manipulated content that can mislead students and negatively impact their academic preparation.
NCERT has clarified that only textbooks published and distributed through its official channels and authorised vendors should be used for teaching and learning. Students have been advised to verify the authenticity of books before purchasing or downloading them and to avoid relying on unofficial PDFs or pirated copies available on the internet.
The council also urged schools, teachers, and parents to spread awareness about the issue and ensure that students have access to genuine study materials. NCERT stressed that using authentic textbooks is essential for accurate learning, especially as the revised curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and updated educational standards.
The advisory comes as NCERT continues to revise and introduce new textbooks for various classes, making it increasingly important for students to use only verified and officially published editions.
