Agartala: NCERT and Police Seize Fake Textbooks in Bookshop Raids

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Tripura: NCERT, Police raid bookshops in Agartala, seize fake textbooks.
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In a major crackdown on counterfeit educational materials, a joint team from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and Tripura Police conducted raids on several bookshops in Agartala and seized a large number of pirated NCERT books.

The team, led by NCERT’s Chief Business Manager Amitabha Kumar, carried out inspections over the past two days in response to complaints from parents and guardians about fake NCERT textbooks being sold to students. The Delhi and Guwahati regional NCERT teams collaborated with the local police to execute the raids, ensuring strict action against counterfeit book suppliers.

NCERT’s Investigation into Counterfeit Textbooks

The NCERT team and police officials launched an investigation after receiving several complaints from parents who suspected the authenticity of the textbooks being sold in Agartala. Upon surveying the local market, the team identified several bookshops selling pirated NCERT books and took immediate action.

Amitabha Kumar, Chief Business Manager of NCERT, stated, “We received multiple complaints from parents regarding the circulation of counterfeit NCERT books in Agartala. After surveying the local market, we identified the suspected shops and conducted raids accordingly.”

Difference Between Fake and Genuine NCERT Books

During the raids, the team seized counterfeit NCERT textbooks that were printed on substandard paper.

The key differences between genuine and fake NCERT books include:

  • Paper Quality: Genuine NCERT books are printed on 80 GSM paper, whereas the counterfeit books were found to be printed on low-quality 50 GSM paper.
  • Pricing & Discounts: NCERT offers a 20% profit margin to booksellers, whereas counterfeit publishers lure sellers with higher profit margins (up to 40%) to push fake books into the market.
  • Printing & Binding: Many of the pirated books had poor-quality printing, incorrect fonts, and weak bindings, making them easily distinguishable from original NCERT textbooks.

Legal Action & Consequences for Selling Fake NCERT Books

The sale of pirated textbooks is a serious offense under copyright laws and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Authorities have warned bookshop owners that selling fake NCERT books:

  • Deprives students of quality education due to errors and substandard materials.
  • Causes financial losses to genuine publishers and NCERT.
  • Violates copyright laws, leading to severe penalties and imprisonment.

The raided bookshops are now under legal scrutiny, and further investigations are underway to trace the source of these fake books.

Why Are Fake NCERT Books a Growing Concern?

The increasing demand for NCERT books in schools across Tripura and other states has led to the rise of counterfeit textbook suppliers looking to profit illegally.

Some of the major concerns about fake NCERT books include:

  • Compromised Education Quality – Fake books contain misprints, incorrect information, and missing chapters, negatively impacting students.
  • Financial Exploitation of Students & Parents – Counterfeit books are often sold at the same price as genuine NCERT books, deceiving parents.
  • Loss of Revenue to NCERT & Publishers – The illegal market diverts profits from genuine publishers, affecting the availability of affordable textbooks.

NCERT’s Measures to Prevent Counterfeit Books

To tackle the rise of fake NCERT books, the NCERT has taken several measures, including:

  1. Introducing QR Codes in Textbooks – NCERT books now come with QR codes that allow students and teachers to verify authenticity.
  2. Strengthening Market Surveillance – The Council is conducting regular market inspections and random checks at bookshops.
  3. Legal Action Against Fake Book Printers & Sellers – Strict legal proceedings are being initiated against those involved in counterfeiting.
  4. Public Awareness Campaigns – NCERT is educating parents, teachers, and students on how to identify genuine NCERT books.

How to Identify Genuine NCERT Books?

To help students and parents avoid purchasing fake NCERT books, here are some key tips to verify authenticity:

1) Check for QR Codes: Scan the QR code on the inside cover to confirm that the book is genuine.
2) Verify Paper Quality: NCERT books use 80 GSM white paper, while fake books often have thin, rough, or yellowish paper.
3) Look for Printing Errors: Fake books often contain spelling mistakes, misaligned text, and missing pages.
4) Purchase from Authorized Sellers: Buy NCERT books only from recognized distributors or the official NCERT website.

The NCERT and Tripura Police’s raid in Agartala is a major step in curbing the circulation of fake NCERT textbooks. The crackdown aims to protect students from substandard educational materials and hold counterfeit book suppliers accountable.

The rise of counterfeit books is a major concern in India, not just in Tripura but across multiple states. The NCERT is now actively monitoring the market and taking strict legal action against those involved in selling pirated textbooks.

To ensure quality education and transparency, students and parents must remain vigilant and purchase only genuine NCERT books. The NCERT’s upcoming digital verification measures will further strengthen efforts to eliminate counterfeit books from the market.

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