New Delhi: In a landmark move aligned with the vision of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam—whose birth anniversary on October 15 is celebrated as World Students’ Day—the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), through its Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), has launched a nationwide pilot of interactive digital textbooks known as KATBOOKs.
This initiative marks a historic transition from traditional textbooks to multimedia-rich, technology-enabled learning designed to enhance engagement, conceptual clarity, and inclusion across Indian classrooms.
Developed by UEducate Global over more than half a decade, KATBOOK is India’s first home-grown interactive textbook model scientifically designed for NCERT curriculum delivery. Before this national rollout, KATBOOK was successfully piloted in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Delhi State Board schools, where it demonstrated measurable improvements in student understanding and teacher effectiveness. Based on this research evidence, NCERT has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UEducate Global, adopting KATBOOK as the official digital format for all upcoming NCERT textbooks.
Purpose of the Pilot
This nationwide pilot is not a product launch, but a research-driven initiative designed to:
- Scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of digital textbooks in improving student learning outcomes.
- Strengthen classroom engagement through animations, simulations, interactive media, and built-in assessments.
- Empower teachers with lesson support, digital pedagogy tools, and real-time analytics.
- Promote inclusion by studying adoption across diverse geographies, connectivity levels, and linguistic backgrounds.
- Use structured teacher and student feedback to refine KATBOOK before national curriculum integration.
Pilot Coverage
The pilot currently covers the following classes and subjects:
- Class 1: English, Hindi, Mathematics
- Class 6: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science
- Class 12: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science
Quotes
“Educational technology has the power to make quality learning truly inclusive. With KATBOOK, we are ensuring that every learner—whether in a metro city or a remote village—can experience the same high-quality, interactive education. This initiative represents not just innovation, but outreach at scale.”
— Sarath Kakumanu, Founder & MD, UEducate Global
“Launching this pilot on World Students’ Day is deeply symbolic. It reflects India’s commitment to making every learner future ready. This initiative is not just about digitising textbooks—it is about transforming the learning experience through research, participation, and innovation.”
— Rashmi S. Chari, President – Curriculum Operations, UEducate Global
National Call for Participation
All government and private schools across India are invited to participate in this national research initiative and contribute to shaping the future of learning.
A nationwide virtual orientation for teachers is being broadcast through PM eVidya DTH Channels and the NCERT Official YouTube Channel to ensure smooth classroom integration and maximum participation.
