Goa, July 12 -- Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has ordered an inquiry into the conduct of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) officials after the council allegedly failed to defend its decision to blacklist a paper supplier before the Delhi High Court, sources said.

According to sources, the minister has also directed that responsibility be fixed on officials who failed to take the necessary legal steps during the court proceedings. He has sought strict action against those found accountable for the alleged lapse.

The case pertains to Bafna Global Venture Private Limited, which approached the Delhi High Court on June 24 challenging an NCERT order issued on June 22. The order barred the company from...