— Antitrust action could reshape pricing and procurement in India’s education-materials ecosystem
New Delhi | November 10, 2025
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has launched surprise raids across six paper mills in multiple states over allegations of price collusion in the supply of paper and raw materials used for printing NCERT textbooks and educational materials. The enforcement action, carried out in coordination with the Director General’s office, marks one of the most significant investigations in India’s education supply chain in recent years.
Allegations of Price Manipulation
According to sources familiar with the probe, the raids targeted paper manufacturers suspected of forming a cartel to fix or inflate prices of printing paper sold to NCERT and its contracted publishers. Such practices, if proven, could have directly increased the cost of textbook production, affecting both government procurement budgets and the affordability of learning materials distributed to millions of schoolchildren across India.
Officials said the investigation was prompted by abnormal price trends and identical bid patterns observed during recent NCERT tenders. The CCI is now examining digital records, pricing documents, and communications between mill representatives to determine whether there was coordinated price-setting.
Impact on Education Supply Chains
The case has drawn attention to the critical intersection between industrial pricing practices and educational access. NCERT textbooks form the backbone of school education for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) system and are also widely adopted by several state boards. Any disruption or artificial inflation in paper supply costs could impact timely printing, distribution, and affordability of essential learning materials.
Education policy analysts noted that the outcome of this probe could reshape procurement norms and transparency standards in education material supply chains. “Ensuring fair competition in the textbook supply sector is essential for maintaining affordability and equity in public education,” one expert commented.
Regulatory and Industry Response
While the CCI has not disclosed the names of the mills under investigation, early reports indicate that facilities in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu were among those searched. The commission has reaffirmed that its investigation is focused on upholding market integrity and consumer welfare, particularly where public education is involved.
Industry representatives, meanwhile, have called for due process and transparent hearings, warning that the raids could temporarily disrupt production schedules ahead of the 2026–27 academic year.
For official updates, visit the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and NCERT websites.
