Books, Publishers and Readers
The Textbook Business
How NCERT and state boards publish cheap textbooks, why private school books cost more, and debates about expensive books and uniform tie-ups.
Textbooks are the biggest part of India’s book market.
Public publishers
- NCERT publishes textbooks for CBSE schools at low prices.
- State boards publish their own books.
Private publishers
- Many private schools use books from private publishers, often priced much higher.
- Publishers compete for school adoptions.
Controversies
- Parents complain about expensive books and schools requiring purchases from specific shops.
- CBSE has directed schools to prefer NCERT books, and several states capped or regulated private book requirements.
NCERT shortages
NCERT books have sometimes been scarce in shops, forcing parents to buy costlier alternatives. NCERT expanded printing and online availability.
Digital textbooks
- DIKSHA, a government platform, offers free digital textbooks and content.
Syllabus changes
Revisions to NCERT textbooks, including those under NEP 2020, create both new demand and debates about content.
A parent's school requires private publisher books costing several thousand rupees, while NCERT books for the same class cost a few hundred.
Many private schools use costlier private publishers' books.
- NCERT and state boards publish low-cost textbooks.
- Private schools often use costlier private books.
- Parents complain about expensive books and tie-ups.
- DIKSHA offers free digital textbooks.
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