Fake PU textbooks flood market; KTBS faces major losses

Shivamogga: A surge in fake pre-university (PU) textbooks has taken over the market, leaving Karnataka Textbook Society (KTBS) printed books unsold. Concerned by the situation, KTBS officials have written to the PU Board, and a meeting is scheduled in Bengaluru during the third week of July to address the issue.

Books for PU Arts, Science, and Commerce streams are printed by the PU Board through KTBS and distributed to local book sellers based on student strength, via district offices of the primary and secondary education department.

However, for the past two years, the spread of fake textbooks has drastically reduced demand, worrying the authorities. Students from private colleges are opting for NCERT and private publications. Some get books from their seniors.

Despite this, around 20% of students still require new textbooks. KBPTS prints books keeping these 20% in mind, but many copies remain unsold. Over the last two to three years, more than one lakh textbooks have gone unused. For the academic year 2025-26, KTBS has not initiated fresh printing.

“We print only based on the demand from the PU Board. If we receive written complaints about fake books, we will conduct an investigation,” said M P Madegowda, Managing Director, Karnataka Textbook Society.