NCERT, in collaboration with the Crime Branch of Delhi Police, has launched a big campaign against illegal printing of pirated copies of NCERT textbooks.The Crime Branch of Delhi Police, based on the specific intelligence input, carried out the operation of the illegal printing in Village Jawli, Loni, Ghaziabad (U.P.).The raid led to the discovery of large, scale violations of copyright laws through illegal printing of NCERT books.

Fake NCERT books not only damage the education system but also mislead the students and parents of the country, thus, this operation intends to stop the usage of such books.During the crackdown, around 32, 000 pirated NCERT textbooks of different classes and subjects were recovered. The police also recovered two printing machines, aluminium printing plates, paper rolls, and printing ink, indicating large-scale unauthorised printing.

The action was initiated on the basis of inputs developed during an earlier case registered vide FIR No. 336/2025 dated 11.11.2025, by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police, under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Copyright Act, 1957.

Officials from NCERT’s Publication Division were present during the raid and seizure proceedings and provided technical assistance for the identification and verification of pirated material. NCERT reiterates that unauthorised printing, distribution, or sale of NCERT textbooks is a punishable offence under law.

Such activities not only violate copyright but also adversely affect students and the education system by circulating substandard and incorrect content.People are requested to buy textbooks published by the NCERT only from the authorised dealers and to report any cases that appear to be piracy to the NCERT or to local authorities.

According to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, NCERT is running with more than half of its approved positions lying vacant. Out of the total sanctioned strength of 2, 844 posts at NCERT headquarters, regional institutes, and departments, only 1, 219 positions are presently filled, thus 1, 625 posts are left vacant across Group A, B, and C categories.

This was an answer from the Ministry of Education to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam that asked for the details on vacancies, contractual appointments, and permanent recruitment at NCERT during the last five years.

In the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), for instance, only 45 out of 116 sanctioned posts across Group A, B and C are filled, while at NERIE, just 26 out of 55 posts are occupied.

Project Veer Gatha inspires 1.92 Cr students with real life storytelling 

Project Veer Gatha, a flagship national initiative celebrating India's gallantry award winners, has broken the record of participation by holding 1.92 crore students of 1.90 lakh schools in its fifth edition.

It was launched in 2021 as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the program thus. keeps on expanding its reach as a great platform for inculcating patriotism, creativity and knowledge of India's military heritage among school students.

The joint venture of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education, inspires students to know about the lives and sacrifices of the soldiers through various creative modes of expression such as poems, essays, paintings, digital posters, short films, and multimedia presentations.

The whole world is praising the initiative through hashtag #VeerGatha on social media, which is thus, allowing the sharing of heroism and bravery stories to a large number of people from different platforms.

The focus of this issue was mainly on the Samarik Parampara (India's martial traditions) which comprised the stories of the heroic warriors, such as Prithviraj Chauhan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the leaders of the 1857 revolt.

Student participation has been steadily rising as the first edition attracted only 8 lakh students.

One of the major successes of this year was the participation of 28, 005 students belonging to 91 CBSE schools from 18 different states. This serves as a very strong indication that the project has extended its Indian diaspora global reach.

Schools arranged face, to, face and virtual sessions with awardees who received gallantry honors. Meanwhile, competition entries were uploaded on the MyGov portal. After rounds of district and state level assessments, 4020 works were eligible at that level. From there, 100 Super, Winners will be given a cash prize of 10, 000 each and also a ticket to witness Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path.

By connecting young minds with real, life stories of bravery, Project Veer Gatha is not just a competition, but a national campaign that fosters patriotism and historical awareness.