The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released a cautionary advisory regarding the infringement of copyrights on its educational materials, noting that certain “unscrupulous publishers” are reproducing content from its textbooks under their own name without authorization.
“Advisory on Copyright Infringement in the use of Educational Materials designed and developed by NCERT is hereby issued as a public notice. Stakeholders are urged to adhere to the Copyrights Advisory issued by NCERT diligently,” stated the NCERT on X.
NCERT, as outlined in a press release, is tasked with the creation and distribution of textbooks for all levels of school education, serving as an authorized source of educational resources for teaching and learning.
“NCERT has observed instances where certain unethical publishers are printing NCERT school textbooks, readily available on the NCERT website, under their own name without obtaining prior permission from NCERT,” the release highlighted.
The educational body emphasized that individuals or entities engaged in the commercial publication of NCERT textbook content without obtaining copyright permission will be subject to legal action under the Copyright Act of 1957.
Furthermore, the NCERT cautioned the public against using such textbooks or workbooks, warning that their content may contain inaccuracies and deviate from the fundamental principles of the National Curriculum Framework 2023.
Individuals who encounter pirated textbooks or workbooks are urged to promptly notify NCERT via email at pd.ncert@nic.in. Publishers seeking to include the NCERT name in their publications are encouraged to submit proposals to the Publication Division NCERT, located at Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-16, or via email at secy.ncert@nic.in, the statement concluded.
