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NCERT scrambles to supply new Class 9 textbooks
NCERT has printed 3 million Class 9 textbooks (about 20% of the 15 million target) as the 2026–27 session begins. Printing speed has been increased to meet a May 31 deadline for 1.5 crore copies, with government officials reviewing supply chains and offering digital textbooks via e-Pathshala as an interim measure.
Why It Matters
Delays in textbook supply can disrupt learning and add to family costs. The situation also intersects with government oversight, NHRC notices on textbook prescribing, and concerns about private publishers' pricing.
Timeline
7 Events
Status of Class 9 textbook releases by NCERT
April 28, 2026
NCERT has released new Class 9 textbooks for Hindi, Sanskrit, English, science, mathematics, arts education, vocational education and physical education; textbooks for social science and individuals in society have not yet been released.
Digital textbooks via e-Pathshala offered as interim measure
April 28, 2026
The education ministry stated that digital textbooks will be available through e-Pathshala as an interim measure to support uninterrupted learning until physical copies reach all students.
Pradhan reviews textbook availability and directs supply-chain measures
April 28, 2026
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the availability, printing, and distribution of NCERT textbooks for the ongoing academic session and directed officials to strengthen supply chains, augment printing capacity where necessary, and closely monitor last-mile delivery.
printing progress and targets for Class 9 textbooks
April 28, 2026
Officials said NCERT has printed and sold 3 million copies of the new Class 9 textbooks—about 20% of the 15 million target—nearly a month after the 2026–27 session began. Printing speed has been increased to meet the target of 1.5 crore copies by May 31, 2026; 30 lakh copies have already been printed and sold.
HT reports concerns over rising costs of private-school textbooks
April 15, 2026
HT reported concerns that private schools affiliated to CBSE are prescribing costly books from private publishers. Parents say expensive books, often revised annually, increase financial burden. A full NCERT set for Classes 1–8 typically costs ₹200–₹700, while private publisher bundles can range from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000.
NHRC issues notices over textbook prescribing and roles of authorities
April 15, 2026
The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Union education ministry, CBSE, and all states and union territories seeking clarification by April 30 on the role of authorities like NCERT in prescribing textbooks and whether examination boards have any mandate at the elementary level.
Academic session 2026–27 begins; NCERT outlines Class 9 textbook status
April 1, 2026
The 2026–27 academic session began on April 1, 2026. NCERT has aligned Class 9 textbooks with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and released new textbooks for Hindi, Sanskrit, English, science, mathematics, arts education, vocational education and physical education. Textbooks for social science and individuals in society have not yet been released. NCERT had released new textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 in previous academic years.