LUCKNOW, June 5 -- The seizure of over 1.33 lakh (133,000) counterfeit NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books worth Rs.2 crore in Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli area on Monday has unravelled the growing menace of these pirated books in Uttar Pradesh as well as other Hindi- speaking states.

The counterfeit books mimic NCERT textbooks in layout, price markings, and barcode design, clearly intended to mislead students, parents and education institutions. The piracy of NCERT textbooks results in substantial financial losses for the government. Besides, the substandard materials used in pirated books often pose health hazards to students.

According to NCERT data, more than five lakh (500,000) copies of pirated textbook...