Some NCERT Books To Cost Less From Next Year: Education Minister
Textbooks published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for certain classes will be more affordable from next year, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Tuesday. The minister also added that the NCERT, which currently prints five crore textbooks in a year, is working to increase the capacity to fifteen crore from next year. “The new textbooks as per updated curriculum for classes 9-12 will be available from 2026-27 academic session,” he said.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Mr Pradhan highlighted the government’s focus on quality education, digital inclusion, infrastructure upgrades, and linguistic diversity, all aimed at ensuring equitable and holistic development for students.
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A pivotal aspect of these reforms has been the development of Bharat-centric, competency-based, and inclusive textbooks under the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Mr Pradhan stated that NCERT’s annual textbook production has increased substantially from 5 crore to 15 crore books to meet rising demand. Further, new textbooks have already been introduced for seven grades, with plans to release materials for four additional grades in the upcoming academic year.
To accommodate linguistic diversity, the government has ensured that NCERT textbooks are being developed in all scheduled Indian languages, making them widely accessible. The digital transformation has also played a critical role, with online platforms hosting these textbooks for free downloads, further reducing costs for students and families.
The Minister emphasised the remarkable progress in infrastructure development across Indian schools between 2013-14 and 2023-24. Electricity availability has surged to 91.8%, access to computers to 57.2%, and internet facilities to 53.9%. Additionally, improvements in drinking water and handwashing facilities, alongside an increase in playgrounds and library access, demonstrate the government’s commitment to fostering conducive learning environments.
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Alongside infrastructure, the Education Ministry has prioritised skill development, with vocational education programmes expanding exponentially. Schools offering vocational courses have risen from under 1,000 in 2014 to over 29,000 in 2024, enrolling millions of students in skills-based learning.
The Education Minister also underscored the focus on women’s empowerment, with female teachers now outnumbering male counterparts and playing a crucial role in India’s education system.
Mr Pradhan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making education more affordable, accessible, and inclusive.
