CBSE Raises Alarm on Counterfeit School Textbooks
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a crucial public warning to schools and parents across India concerning the widespread circulation of fake and unauthorized NCERT textbooks. In an official notice released on November 14, 2025, the board highlighted a growing trend of unscrupulous sellers supplying counterfeit versions of these essential academic books at discounted prices, posing a significant risk to the quality of education.
The Risks of Substandard Learning Materials
These pirated books are not just illegal copies; they suffer from severely poor print quality and contain factual inaccuracies in their content. The CBSE has expressed deep concern that the use of such materials may adversely affect the learning experience of students, emphasizing that accurate and high-quality textbooks are foundational to maintaining academic integrity.
The board has urgently directed all its affiliated schools to counsel parents to procure NCERT textbooks exclusively through official and approved channels. This step is vital to ensure that students receive authentic and reliable learning resources.
How to Identify and Purchase Genuine NCERT Textbooks
To combat this issue, the CBSE advisory clearly outlines the only authorized sources for obtaining genuine NCERT textbooks. Schools that purchase books in bulk have been instructed to source them strictly from these official outlets. Parents and institutions can acquire authentic books from the following sources:
- Regional Production and Distribution Centres (RPDCs) of NCERT.
- Vendors officially authorized and listed on the NCERT website.
- The NCERT postal supply service available on its official portal.
- The official NCERT storefront on Amazon.
The notice also provides essential contact information for RPDCs in major cities to assist schools and parents. The provided details are as follows:
Ahmedabad RPDC: NCERT, Navjivan Trust Building, P.O. Navjivan, Ahmedabad – 380014. Phone: 079-27541446, Mobile: 9327209081 (Shri Kapil Kanal).
Bengaluru RPDC: NCERT, 108, 100 Ft. Road, Hosakere Halli Extension, Banashankari 3rd Stage, Bengaluru – 560085. Phone: 080-26725740, Mobile: 8447438881 (Shri E. Lugun).
Guwahati RPDC: NCERT, CWC Campus, A.T. Road, Maligaon, Guwahati – 781011. Phone: 0361-2674869, Mobile: 9954091108 (Shri Subroto Paul).
Kolkata RPDC: NCERT, CWC Campus, Kishori Mohan Banerjee Road, Opp. Dhankal Bus Stop, P.O. Panihati, Kolkata – 700114. Phone: 033-25530454, Mobile: 9911688943 (Shri Geetesh Suhane).
Delhi RPDC / Publication Division: Chief Business Manager, Publication Division, NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi – 110016. Phone: 011-26562708, Mobile: 9899536228.
A Collective Effort for Academic Integrity
The CBSE has mandated all its affiliated institutions to widely circulate this advisory among teachers, parents, and students. The board stresses that maintaining the authenticity of textbooks is essential for safeguarding academic standards and ensuring that every student has access to accurate and high-quality learning materials. This move aims to create a unified front against the distribution of counterfeit educational content.
