On the page, a graphic explains multiple ways by which the disease spreads. One of the reasons mentioned is 'through premarital/ extra marital sexual contact'.

A Class X textbook in Kerala has been teaching students that pre-marital sex can spread HIV. This misleading information is printed in a Class X biology text book.

The textbook has a page that states that Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) can spread through premarital or extramarital sexual conduct.

This information is published on page 60 of the Class X Biology textbook published by State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT).

On the page, a graphic explains multiple ways by which the disease spreads. One of the reasons mentioned is 'through premarital/ extra marital sexual contact'.

The incident came to light after a teacher pointed out the error by posting the pictures of the page on social media. This was later widely shared by many people including doctors.

An official said the mistake has been rectified.

"This mistake has come to our notice and we have rectified it. We have removed this part and from the next academic year beginning in June, the text will not have this portion," the official said.

According to Directorate of Public Instruction, the revised edition of the text book was introduced during the 2015-16 academic year. The text book was declared by a committee of school teachers and experts and not the present team.