The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), along with the Delhi Police Crime Branch, has taken strong action against illegal textbook printing. In a recent operation, authorities seized a large stock of 32,000 pirated NCERT textbooks from a printing unit located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. This significant seizure aims to stop the spread of fake and low-quality study materials among students across the country.
Details of the Raid and Seizure
The raid was carried out at a printing facility in Village Jawli, Loni, Ghaziabad. Based on specific information, the Delhi Police Crime Branch acted swiftly to uncover the illegal operation. During the raid, police officers found thousands of fake NCERT textbooks covering different subjects and classes.
Beyond the pirated books, the police also seized crucial equipment used for the illegal printing. This included two large printing machines, aluminium printing plates, several paper rolls, and various types of printing ink. The discovery of these materials provided clear evidence of large-scale unauthorised printing activity at the unit.
Joint Operation and Technical Support
The operation was a joint effort between law enforcement and educational experts. Officials from NCERT’s Publication Division were present during the entire raid and seizure process. Their presence was vital as they provided technical assistance. This help allowed the police to correctly identify and verify that the seized books were indeed pirated copies and not original NCERT publications. This teamwork highlights the serious approach taken by authorities to protect the integrity of educational materials.
Legal Action Taken
This action is linked to an earlier case registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch. The legal charges have been filed under important Indian laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Copyright Act, 1957. These laws make it a serious criminal offense to print, distribute, or sell copyrighted material like NCERT textbooks without proper permission. Those involved in such illegal activities can face severe penalties under these legal provisions.
Why Pirated Textbooks Are Harmful for Students
NCERT has repeatedly warned about the serious problems caused by fake textbooks, especially for young students preparing for exams and building their knowledge base:
Incorrect Information: Pirated books often contain many mistakes, outdated facts, or incomplete information. Students studying from these books might learn wrong facts, which can badly affect their exam scores and their basic understanding of subjects. It can also cause confusion when they compare their books with those of classmates using original copies.
Poor Quality Materials: The physical quality of these books is usually very low. Pages might be thin, easily torn, or poorly bound, meaning the book falls apart quickly. The print can be faded or blurry, making it difficult and tiring to read for long periods. Sometimes, entire pages or important chapters are missing, leading to gaps in a student's learning.
Impact on Learning and Confidence: Using low-quality books can make learning difficult and frustrating. It takes away from the joy of studying and can reduce a student's confidence in their study materials. NCERT books are carefully designed to be accurate, clear, and reliable to provide a good learning experience. Fake books fail on all these points.
Ethical Concerns and Support for Crime: Buying pirated books supports illegal businesses and dishonest individuals. It directly harms the government's efforts to provide quality education and takes away from the hard work of honest writers, researchers, and publishers who create original educational content. This illegal trade also means a loss of revenue that could be used for improving schools and learning resources.
NCERT's Warning and Advice to the Public
NCERT has issued a strong statement that any unauthorised printing, distribution, or sale of its textbooks is a punishable offense under the law. The council urged the public to be careful.
Purchase from Authorised Sources: Students and parents are strongly advised to purchase NCERT textbooks only from authorised shops or directly from the NCERT website. This ensures they receive genuine, high-quality, and accurate books.
Report Piracy: The public is also encouraged to report any suspected cases of textbook piracy to NCERT officials or their local police authorities. Reporting such incidents helps the authorities to take quick action against those who exploit the education system for illegal gains.
Ensuring Quality Education for All
This important operation by NCERT and the Delhi Police sends a strong message to those involved in illegal textbook trade. It shows that authorities are serious about fighting textbook piracy. Their goal is to protect students from misleading information and ensure they get the best possible learning materials. Students and parents have a role to play by always choosing original books and reporting any illegal activity. This helps build a stronger, more honest education system for everyone.
