The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has printed and sold only 3 million out of 15 million targeted copies of new Class 9 textbooks, nearly a month after the 2026-27 academic session began on April 1. Officials have increased printing speed to meet the May 31 deadline. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the process and directed enhancements in supply chains.
New Delhi: NCERT has released Class 9 textbooks aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Books for Hindi, Sanskrit, English, science, mathematics, arts education, vocational education, and physical education are available, but social science and individuals in society are pending.
An official told Hindustan Times, “NCERT intends to print approximately 1.5 crore new textbooks for Class 9. Out of this, 30 lakhs books have been printed and sold. Speed of Printing has been increased to print 1.5 crore books by May 31, 2026.”
On Tuesday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the availability, printing, and distribution of NCERT textbooks. He directed officials to strengthen supply chains, augment printing capacity where necessary, and monitor last-mile delivery. Digital textbooks are available via e-Pathshala as an interim measure.
Meanwhile, on April 15, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the education ministry, CBSE, and states over allegations of private schools prescribing costly books from private publishers.
