Schools across Ranchi have launched urgent awareness campaigns following a crucial advisory from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) warning about the circulation of counterfeit NCERT textbooks in the market. The board has alerted educational institutions that fake versions of NCERT books, available both online and offline, pose serious risks to students' academic preparation.
The Growing Threat of Counterfeit Textbooks
According to the CBSE advisory, unauthorized booksellers are supplying fake NCERT textbooks at discounted prices, luring unsuspecting parents and students. These counterfeit books often feature inferior paper quality and contain numerous errors including printing mistakes, factual inaccuracies, and significant content gaps. Education experts emphasize that such defects can severely impact the learning process, particularly for students preparing for critical board examinations.
The board has identified multiple issues with these fake publications. Poor printing quality, incorrect diagrams, and flawed definitions are among the common problems found in counterfeit books. For subjects requiring precise diagrams and accurate definitions, even minor errors can create substantial confusion and hinder proper understanding.
Schools Take Immediate Action
Ranchi schools have responded proactively to the CBSE advisory. Jawahar Vidya Mandir Principal Samarjit Jana stated, "The CBSE advisory is extremely important. Many parents unknowingly buy cheaper versions of textbooks, assuming they are genuine." The school has already informed all students through class meetings about the necessity of purchasing books only from authorized sellers.
Similarly, Kairali School Principal Rajesh Pillai highlighted their approach: "We are counselling students about how fake books can affect their studies. For board classes, even small errors in diagrams or definitions can create confusion. Authentic books are essential for accurate learning." The school has intensified efforts to educate both students and parents about identifying genuine NCERT publications.
Authorized Sources for Genuine Books
CBSE has clearly specified the only reliable sources for purchasing authentic NCERT textbooks. These include:
- NCERT Regional Production & Distribution Centres (RPDCs)
- Vendors officially listed on the NCERT website
- NCERT Postal Supply Services
- The official NCERT Amazon storefront
The board strongly recommends avoiding unauthorized sellers offering heavy discounts, as these often indicate counterfeit products.
Student Concerns and Responses
Students have expressed serious concerns after learning about the fake book circulation. Ananya Mishra, a Class X student at Dani Public School, shared, "I didn't know fake NCERT books were being sold. Sometimes we buy books online because they are cheaper. Now I will be more careful and check the authenticity."
Aman Kumar, a Class XII student, emphasized the importance of accurate content for competitive exam preparation: "For competitive exams, NCERT books are very important. If the content is wrong, it affects our preparation. Our teachers told us what to look for when purchasing genuine books."
The awareness campaign continues across Ranchi schools, with institutions implementing regular checks and guidance sessions to ensure students use only authentic learning materials for their academic success.
