Campus Times | Lucknow 

The beginning of the new academic session has turned stressful for many Class 9 students and their families, as essential NCERT textbooks remain unavailable across several bookstores in the city. Key subjects such as Science (Exploration), Mathematics, and Social Science are reportedly out of stock, forcing parents and students to make repeated visits to shops without any clear assurance of availability.

Booksellers have acknowledged the shortage but say they are unable to provide a timeline for restocking. As a result, families are facing uncertainty at a crucial time when classes have already commenced.

Experts attribute the situation to delays in finalising the updated Class 9 syllabus. According to sources, the revised curriculum was approved shortly before the academic session began, leaving insufficient time for printing and distribution. Educationists have criticised the lack of planning, noting that such gaps place unnecessary pressure on students and create avoidable disruptions in learning.

Social Science Textbook Yet to Be Released

Adding to the concerns, the first volume of the new Class 9 Social Science textbook has not yet been released. While some revised books were made available around April 10 and the first part of the Mathematics textbook was released only recently, Social Science continues to remain unavailable.

Teachers are finding it difficult to proceed with the syllabus in the absence of official textbooks. A teacher from a Kendriya Vidyalaya stated that classes are being affected, increasing pressure to complete the curriculum on time.

In some cases, schools are relying on digital alternatives. Students report that teachers have downloaded copies from the official website, but the lack of physical books remains a significant challenge for effective classroom learning.

Online Price Surge Raises Concerns

Amid the shortage, another issue troubling parents is the sharp rise in prices of NCERT textbooks on online platforms. The Class 9 Science (Exploration) book, officially priced at around ₹205 (approximately ₹225 with binding), has been seen listed online for as high as ₹899. In some instances, the price has increased even further.

This steep markup has raised serious concerns among parents and educators about price regulation and accessibility. Many families, driven by urgency, have been forced to purchase these overpriced books due to lack of alternatives.

Local booksellers have clarified that official prices remain unchanged and expressed confusion over the inflated online listings. However, there has been no official response yet regarding these pricing discrepancies or steps to ensure fair access.

Growing Demand for Better Coordination

Parents and education experts are now calling for improved coordination between authorities, publishers, and distributors. They stress that textbooks should be made available well before the start of the academic session to prevent such disruptions.

With classes already underway, the lack of clarity around textbook availability continues to be a major concern, leaving students struggling to keep pace with their studies.