Ensuring Authentic Learning: CBSE Urges Schools and Parents to Buy Only Genuine NCERT Textbooks

India’s education system depends heavily on the reliability and consistency of NCERT textbooks—considered the academic backbone for millions of students across CBSE-affiliated schools. On November 14, 2025, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a crucial advisory urging schools and parents to ensure the purchase of only genuine NCERT textbooks from authorised sources. This directive follows rising concerns about counterfeit or fake books entering the market, often sold at discounted prices but containing errors that compromise academic quality.

As CBSE functions under the Ministry of Education, the advisory carries significant weight. The Board has emphasised that the growing circulation of unauthorised books can directly affect student learning, assessment outcomes, and the overall credibility of classroom instruction. Schools have been asked to counsel parents and ensure the procurement of textbooks strictly through official NCERT channels.

Why CBSE Issued the Advisory: The Rising Concern of Counterfeit Textbooks

According to the Board, a troubling trend has emerged where unauthorised sellers supply NCERT textbooks that look similar to the original but are, in fact, poorly printed duplicates. These counterfeit versions often contain:

• Typographical mistakes
   
• Misprinted diagrams
   
• Missing pages
   
• Incorrect or outdated content
   
• Low-quality paper and binding

Such discrepancies are not merely cosmetic; they distort learning. For students preparing for board exams, competitive exams, and formative assessments, accuracy and clarity are essential. A single misprint can change the meaning of a concept, lead to misunderstanding, and cause long-term learning gaps.

To protect academic standards, CBSE has asked all affiliated schools to remain vigilant and guide parents toward authorised vendors. Schools have also been encouraged to verify supply chains before bulk textbook orders for the academic year.

Authorised Sources for Genuine NCERT Textbooks

To minimise the circulation of counterfeit books, CBSE has listed four official sources through which NCERT textbooks should be purchased. These channels ensure that textbooks are printed at authorised centres, adhere to NCERT’s quality benchmarks, and reflect the latest editions and updates.

1. NCERT Regional Production & Distribution Centres (RPDCs)

These centres handle the printing, storage, and distribution of NCERT books across different zones in India. Schools purchasing in bulk and parents buying individually can contact RPDCs for genuine textbooks, updated editions, and support services.

2. Authorised Vendors Listed on the NCERT Website

The official NCERT website (www.ncert.nic.in) provides a list of licensed vendors across states. These sellers are verified by NCERT and permitted to sell textbooks without tampering or modification.

3. NCERT Postal Supply Service

Available on the NCERT portal, this service allows parents and schools to order textbooks online and receive them via registered postal delivery—useful for regions without nearby vendors.

4. Official NCERT Amazon Storefront

The NCERT Amazon India store (amazon.in/NCERT) is the only authorised e-commerce storefront. CBSE has clarified that purchasing from random sellers on Amazon or other platforms can lead to counterfeit copies. Only the official NCERT-listed seller should be used.

Regional NCERT RPDC Contact Details for Assistance

To support smoother distribution and resolve queries regarding availability, CBSE has also released contact information for RPDCs across major cities:

• Ahmedabad RPDC
Navjivan Trust Building, P.O. Navjivan, Ahmedabad – 380014
Phone: 079-27541446
Mobile: 9327209081 (Shri Kapil Kanal)

• Bengaluru RPDC
108, 100 Ft. Road, Hosakere Halli Extension, Banashankari 3rd Stage, Bengaluru – 560085
Phone: 080-26725740
Mobile: 8447438881 (Shri E. Lugun)

• Guwahati RPDC
CWC Campus, A.T. Road, Maligaon, Guwahati – 781011
Phone: 0361-2674869
Mobile: 9954091108 (Shri Subroto Paul)

• Kolkata RPDC
CWC Campus, Kishori Mohan Banerjee Road, Opp. Dhankal Bus Stop, P.O. Panihati, Kolkata – 700114
Phone: 033-25530454
Mobile: 9911688943 (Shri Geetesh Suhane)

• Delhi Publication Division (NCERT HQ)
Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi – 110016
Phone: 011-26562708 / 9899536228
Email: cbm.ncert@nic.in, pdncert@gmail.com

These contacts serve as direct support channels for schools, book distributors, and parents seeking clarification on availability, editions, bulk orders, and authorised procurement.

Protecting Academic Integrity Through Accurate Learning Resources

CBSE has highlighted that textbooks form the foundation of classroom instruction, assessments, and curriculum planning. When fake books enter the system, the following issues arise:

• Teachers face inconsistencies while teaching from mixed-quality materials.
   
• Students prepare for exams using incorrect content, impacting their performance.
   
• Schools face difficulties aligning lesson plans with official learning outcomes.
   
• National-level exams such as JEE, NEET, and CUET—which are aligned with NCERT content—can disadvantage students who unknowingly used incorrect material.

To prevent this, CBSE has instructed schools to actively share the advisory with:

• Parents
   
• Teachers
   
• Students
   
• School bookstore partners
   
• School management committees

The goal is not just to warn but to strengthen a culture of accountability in academic material procurement.

The Importance of Genuine Textbooks in Standardised Education

NCERT textbooks are unique because they are:

• Designed by national-level experts
   
• Peer-reviewed for accuracy
   
• Free from regional or publisher-driven variations
   
• Revised periodically to match educational reforms
   
• Standardised across all CBSE schools in India

Counterfeit books bypass these quality checks entirely. The errors they carry can cause long-term confusion among students, especially in subjects like mathematics, science, and social sciences where precision is crucial.

CBSE’s advisory reiterates that quality learning begins with quality textbooks, and ensuring students receive authentic material is a shared responsibility.

Supporting Schools in Compliance

Schools ordering textbooks for the new academic year have been encouraged to:

• Purchase directly from RPDCs or authorised vendors
   
• Verify vendor credentials before placing orders
   
• Avoid bulk procurement from unverified wholesalers
   
• Maintain receipts and documentation for transparency
   
• Educate parents during orientations and PTMs
   
• Display the advisory on school websites and noticeboards

By following these steps, schools can effectively prevent counterfeit circulation, protect students, and maintain educational integrity.

A Step Towards Strengthening India’s Education Ecosystem

CBSE’s initiative is a timely intervention aimed at safeguarding the quality of educational resources across the country. With millions of students depending on NCERT textbooks every year, ensuring authenticity is not merely a regulatory requirement—it is essential for academic fairness and long-term learning outcomes.

As India moves toward more standardised, competency-based learning models, access to accurate textbooks becomes even more critical. This advisory serves as a reminder that every stakeholder—schools, parents, teachers, and vendors—plays a vital role in sustaining academic excellence.