The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Ministry of Education and the Uttar Pradesh government concerning allegations against CBSE-affiliated private schools. The complaints, initiated by education activist Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, claim that these schools are coercing parents into purchasing expensive books and study materials from private publishers. This issue was highlighted in a media report titled “CBSE school book mafia in UP: Costly books, forced purchases and the law,” published by India Today. The NHRC's notice, dated May 8, 2026, indicates that the allegations could violate Section 29 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which governs textbook selection. The NHRC has mandated that the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and the Principal Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh School Education Department provide a detailed Action Taken Report within four weeks. Furthermore, the NHRC is seeking information on the enforcement of the National School Bag Policy, 2020, and has called for a school-wise audit of booklists within 30 days.