Major Crackdown on Textbook Piracy in Ghaziabad
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) coordinated with the Crime Branch of Delhi Police to conduct a major raid. This operation targeted textbook piracy and resulted in the seizure of approximately 32,000 pirated NCERT textbooks. The illegal printing facility was located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Intelligence-Led Operation Uncovers Large-Scale Piracy
The raid took place at a printing unit in Village Jawli, Loni, Ghaziabad. It exposed a large-scale operation involved in the unauthorised printing of NCERT textbooks. These books covered multiple classes and subjects. The facility was preparing to circulate them in the market ahead of schedule.
According to an official NCERT release, the Delhi Police Crime Branch developed the intelligence during an earlier investigation into copyright violations. During the operation, law enforcement officials recovered the illegally printed textbooks. They also seized two printing machines, aluminium printing plates, paper rolls, and printing ink. This evidence points to industrial-scale counterfeit production.
Officials noted that the presence of heavy printing equipment indicated the facility's capability. It could produce and distribute textbooks in bulk. This discovery raises serious concerns about the extent of piracy within the education supply chain.
Case Linked to Earlier FIR and Ongoing Investigation
The action was initiated based on intelligence gathered during an earlier case. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police registered this case as FIR No. 336/2025 on November 11, 2025. The case was filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Copyright Act, 1957.
Police sources stated that further investigation is currently underway. Authorities aim to trace the network involved in printing, distributing, and selling pirated textbooks. This includes possible links to wholesalers and retailers operating in the Delhi–NCR region.
NCERT Officials Provide Technical Assistance
Officials from NCERT's Publication Division were present during the raid and seizure proceedings. They provided technical assistance to the Delhi Police. Their role involved identifying and verifying the pirated textbooks. They examined printing quality, content accuracy, and reproduction patterns to establish copyright infringement.
NCERT officials have increasingly been working with law enforcement agencies. Their collaboration aims to curb the circulation of counterfeit educational material. This effort is particularly important during peak demand periods.
Piracy Harms Students and the Education System
NCERT reiterated in its official statement that unauthorised printing, distribution, or sale of its textbooks is a punishable offence under law. The council warned that pirated textbooks often contain poor-quality printing. They may have missing pages and incorrect or outdated content. This can adversely affect students' learning outcomes.
"Such activities not only violate copyright but also harm students and the education system by circulating substandard and incorrect content," the release said.
Advisory to Parents and Students
NCERT has urged students, parents, and schools to purchase textbooks only from authorised sources and official distribution channels. The official release also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of textbook piracy. They can report to NCERT or local authorities.
This seizure underscores NCERT's renewed enforcement push against textbook piracy. It signals stricter action against those involved in the illegal reproduction of academic material.
