Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Monday that the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will triple its textbook production this year, aiming to publish a remarkable 15 crore books. This initiative was revealed during an event marking the signing of a Letter of Engagement between NCERT and Amazon.
Speaking at the event, Pradhan highlighted the significant role of NCERT in shaping India’s education landscape since its establishment in 1963, with a cumulative publication of around 220 crore books and journals. “The NCERT has been shaping India’s education landscape by publishing textbooks since 1963, with a total of around 220 crore books and journals. NCERT is a major think tank for the country. These books will be made available across nearly 20,000 pin codes nationwide. The books should be available at MRP,” he stated, adding that they will be sold at their maximum retail price (MRP).
Highlighting the importance of creating an engaging learning environment for the 300 million students in the country, Pradhan urged the development of interactive and AI-driven e-books, including innovations such as talking books. Officials announced that NCERT textbooks for all grades will soon be available on Amazon’s NCERT storefront, also launched at the event. This initiative aims to combat the sale of pirated textbooks by ensuring that only original NCERT materials are sold.
To facilitate the distribution process, Amazon will assist NCERT in monitoring and removing unauthorized sellers offering counterfeit or overpriced books.
In addition to serving individual customers, Amazon will streamline bulk ordering for government agencies and schools, making it easier for institutions to procure large quantities of textbooks. The NCERT has appointed designated distribution vendors to collaborate with Amazon sellers, ensuring timely and efficient deliveries.
Saurabh Srivastava, Vice President of Categories at Amazon India, emphasized the importance of accessible and fairly priced educational resources. “Amazon is trusted by millions of Indians across the country every day for making essential products easily accessible, and we believe that quality education should be no exception,” he said, as quoted by HT. This partnership aims to support students, parents, and educators in their learning journeys without compromise.