NCERT Books Price Reduced: In a significant move aimed at making education more affordable, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced a 20% reduction in the prices of textbooks for students in classes 9 to 12. The decision, which will take effect from the upcoming academic year, was revealed by NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani during an event held in the national capital. This reduction is a part of a broader effort to make quality educational resources more accessible to students across India.
Details of the Price Reduction
The price reduction for classes 9 to 12 textbooks will be effective from the 2026-27 academic year. This means students in these grades will benefit from textbooks priced 20% lower than the current rates. While textbooks for classes 1 to 8 will continue to be priced at ₹65 per copy, this new pricing structure marks a substantial cost saving for families with children in higher grades.
This initiative is part of NCERT’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of textbook production and distribution. The reduction follows the adoption of modern printing techniques and a more efficient paper procurement process, which NCERT believes will significantly reduce costs, allowing these savings to be passed on to the students.
NCERT’s Efforts to Improve Distribution
In addition to reducing the prices, NCERT has also taken steps to ensure that the textbooks are easily accessible across India, even in remote villages. The council has entered into an MoU with Flipkart and Amazon to sell textbooks at reduced prices through these popular e-commerce platforms. This collaboration is expected to make the books available to a wider audience, bridging the gap between urban and rural areas and ensuring that every student has access to quality educational material.
Future Plans for Textbook Printing
Every year, NCERT prints around 4-5 crore textbooks in about 300 titles for students across various grades. However, this year, the council plans to increase the volume significantly, with a target of printing approximately 15 crore textbooks for the next academic session. This marks a significant increase from the previous target of 5 crore books.
The decision to scale up the printing and distribution efforts is aligned with NCERT’s mission to provide textbooks at affordable rates to a larger number of students. This is particularly important given the rising demand for educational resources as more students enroll in schools across the country.
A Historic Move in Textbook Pricing
This price reduction is the first significant cut in the price of NCERT textbooks in recent history, making it an important milestone for the organization. With textbooks being an essential part of the learning process, this initiative is expected to provide relief to many families, particularly in lower-income areas, where the cost of education can often be a burden.
The price cut reflects a broader vision of improving the accessibility and affordability of education in India. As the education sector continues to evolve, such efforts will help create an environment where learning materials are available to all students, regardless of their economic background.
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