NCERT warns publishers of action for printing school textbooks without copyright permission

NEW DELHI: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued a warning against copyright infringement of its school textbooks and other educational resources. The council’s advisory came after it observed a few publishers are publishing school textbooks under their name without its permission. NCERT also cautioned the public against such books.

“It has come to the notice of NCERT that a few unscrupulous publishers are printing NCERT school textbooks which are available on NCERT website, under their own name without obtaining permission from NCERT,” the council said in an official advisory.

The education council warned the publishers of action in accordance with the Copyright Act 1957 if they publish NCERT textbooks or a part of it without obtaining copyright permission from it.

Cautioning the public against such books as they may have incorrect information, NCERT asked people to inform the council in case they come across such books. “The general public is requested to kindly stay away from such textbooks or workbooks as their content may be factually incorrect as well as against the basic philosophy of NCF 2023. Any individual who comes across such pirated textbooks or workbooks should immediately inform NCERT through email at pd.ncert@nic.in,” it said.

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Further, the national council informed that any publisher who wishes to use the name of NCERT in its publication should send a proposal to the publication division of NCERT or email at secy.ncert@nic.in.

“NCERT, responsible for developing and disseminating textbooks for all stages of school Education, has long been regarded as an authorised repository in educational teaching and learning resources,” NCERT said while issuing the warning.