PRAYAGRAJ, Dec. 12 -- In a major step to curb the circulation of counterfeit textbooks, the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board) is set to introduce advanced security features in textbooks for Classes 9 to 12.

Beginning with the 2026-27 academic session, redesigned four-colour covers will be issued for 70 NCERT-based textbooks across 36 subjects, along with 12 language textbooks in Hindi, Sanskrit and Urdu, officials said.

For the first time, the Board is incorporating a sunlight-reactive security feature, a special ink that remains invisible indoors but turns red when exposed to sunlight. Officials said this technology will make duplication extremely difficult and allow teachers and students to verify authenticity instan...