India, July 11 -- Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has ordered a probe and sought action against the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) officials for failing to appear before the Delhi High Court on June 24 to defend its June 22 order to blacklist a paper supplier for delaying textbook production, Union education ministry officials familiar with the development said on Friday.

The administrative lapse by NCERT resulted in interim relief for the company challenging the council's order. The matter will next be heard on July 20.

A Union education ministry spokesperson told HT that Pradhan's intervention in the matter is part of the ministry's "reinforcement of zero-tolerance approach towards administra...