The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 to assist the Central and State Governments regarding policies and programs for improving the quality of school education in India. Its primary objectives are: promoting and coordinating research in areas linked to school education; preparing and publishing model textbooks & supplementary material, developing educational kits, and devising innovative educational techniques, among others.

The backbone of the school education system in India, NCERT textbooks are prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and various state education boards. Designed and developed by subject matter experts after intensive research, NCERT textbooks explain the fundamental concepts of a subject in a concise manner, using lucid language. Every textbook is written in keeping with the comprehension level of students of that class. In addition to school students, candidates preparing for competitive examinations such as NEET, UPSC, and SSC CGL also study NCERT textbooks as basic-level reference books. Learners may download updated NCERT books (classes I-XII) in PDF format free of cost right here on Unacademy.