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NCERT Drops Mughal, Delhi Sultanate Chapters from Class 7 Curriculum

April 27, 2025, 9:27 pm

The NCERT has allegedly omitted all mentions of the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate from its Class 7 schoolbooks in its most recent revision and included a chapter on dynasties that have ‘Indian ethos’, mentions of the Maha Kumbh and flagship union government programs.

The reforms are said to align with the new National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which stress integrating Indian traditions, philosophies, knowledge systems, and local context into school education.

Although in-depth descriptions of dynasties such as Tughlaqs, Khaljis, Mamluks, and Lodis and a two-page table showing achievements of Mughal emperors were ‘cut short’ in its ‘syllabus rationalisation’ process amid the Covid-19 pandemic, it is the first time when all material dealing with Mughals and Delhi Sultanate have been cut entirely, PTI news agency added.

On Sites of Pilgrimage

The Social Science textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” has new chapters on early Indian dynasties such as the Magadha, Mauryas, Shungas, and Sātavāhanas with emphasis placed on “Indian ethos.”

One new chapter regarding sacred and pilgrim sites around India and elsewhere for religions such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has been titled “How the Land Becomes Sacred.”

This chapter mentions locations with 12 jyotirlingas, the Char Dham yatra, and the “Shakti pithas” with sacred river confluences, mountains, and forests have been described as a “sacred geography,” as per the PTI report.

A quote from India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, which had described the nation as a land of pilgrimages also finds a mention.

NCERT On Jati, Maha kumbh

The new text affirms that “varna-jati system” initially brought social stability but rigidified, especially under the British, to create inequalities.

There is a reference to the Maha Kumbh which mentions how 660 million took part in it but no reference to the calamitous stampede where 30 pilgrims lost their lives and many others got injured.

The new book’s India’s Constitution chapter states that at one point, individuals were prohibited from flying the national flag at their residences.

“This changed in 2004 when a citizen felt it was his right to express pride in his country and challenged the rule in court. The Supreme Court agreed, saying that flying the flag is part of the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Expression. We can now fly the tricolour with pride, keeping in mind that it should never be dishonoured,” the chapter read.

NCERT officials informed PTI that these were preliminary part of the book and second part is due to come in coming months. They also did not comment when asked if the dropped portions would be included in the second part.

Syllabus rationalization by the NCERT in its textbooks has found opposition from opposition parties which characterized the overhaul as “saffronisation” to accommodate the ruling party’s “agenda”.

NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani had in an interview to PTI last year asserted, “teaching about riots can make young children negative citizens.” The NCERT had deleted sections referring to the Gujarat communal pogrom of 2002.

91.8% of India’s Schools Now Have Electricity, a Substantial Increase from 53% in 2013-14: Union Education Minister

December 17, 2024, 1:49 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Tuesday that a high-level committee formed to recommend reforms for the National Testing Agency (NTA) has submitted its report, which has been presented before the Supreme Court.

During a press conference, Pradhan highlighted significant progress in the electrification of schools across India, stating, “91.8% of India’s schools now have electricity.” He noted that this is a substantial increase from 53% in 2013-14, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure.

NCERT to Publish 15 Crore Quality Books

In addition to the electrification update, Pradhan revealed that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) plans to publish 15 crore quality and affordable textbooks to meet the needs of students in the upcoming academic year. He assured that there would be no financial burden on students, and in some cases, costs would be reduced.

To facilitate access to these books, NCERT has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with major e-commerce platforms, Amazon and Flipkart, to sell the books at their maximum retail price (MRP).

National Achievement Survey to Assess Learning Outcomes

Pradhan also provided insights into the National Achievement Survey (NAS), stating that as of December 4, 2024, a sample size of 23 lakh students from over 87,000 schools has been surveyed. He announced plans for another district-level survey under NAS to better understand learning outcomes and academic performance.

In related news, the NEET UG 2024 examination, conducted on May 5, has faced controversy due to allegations of paper leaks and irregularities. The exam was held for over 24 lakh candidates across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities outside India. A re-examination was conducted on June 23, 2024, for 1,563 candidates who experienced time loss during the original exam.

NCERT Announces 20% Price Cut on Textbooks for Classes 9-12 for Upcoming Academic Year

December 16, 2024, 4:58 pm

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced a 20 percent reduction in the prices of textbooks for classes 9 to 12, effective from the next academic year. This decision was revealed by NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani during an event held on Monday.

Saklani stated that this is the first time NCERT has implemented such a significant price reduction for textbooks. “This year, NCERT has brought in a lot of efficiency in paper procurement and also onboarded printers with the latest printing machines. NCERT has decided to pass on this benefit to the students of the country,” he explained.

He further emphasized that all textbooks for grades 9-12 will be retailed at 20 percent lower prices than the current rates, marking an unprecedented move in the history of NCERT. Meanwhile, textbooks for grades 1-8 will continue to be sold at Rs 65 per copy.

The announcement was made during the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for the construction of an auditorium at the NCERT Headquarters, which was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the event, an MoU was signed between NCERT and Flipkart to enhance the distribution of NCERT textbooks.

Each year, NCERT prints approximately 4-5 crore textbooks across around 300 titles. The organization has also expanded its reach through partnerships with e-commerce platforms like Amazon, facilitating nationwide access to authentic textbooks.

NCERT Report Proposes Using Marks from Classes 9-11 in Class 12 Board Results

August 27, 2024, 10:51 am

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has proposed a new evaluation model that would incorporate students’ marks from Classes 9, 10, and 11 into their Class 12 board results. This recommendation is outlined in a report titled *Establishing Equivalence across Education Boards*, released in July.

The report suggests implementing a progressive assessment framework for Classes 10 and 12, which divides the academic year into two terms. Under this new system, Class 12 board results would include marks from Classes 9, 10, and 11, with the weight of formative (ongoing) and summative (end-term) assessments adjusted as students progress through the grades.

According to the report, the distribution of marks is as follows:
– Class 9: 7% formative and 30% summative
– Class 10: 50% formative and 50% summative
– Class 11: 40% formative and 60% summative
– Class 12: 30% formative and 70% summative

This results in cumulative marks contributing to the Class 12 board results as 15% from Class 9, 20% from Class 10, 25% from Class 11, and 40% from Class 12. This approach ensures that students’ performance over several years plays a significant role in their final scores.

The proposed assessment framework for Classes 9 through 12 aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation by balancing both formative and summative assessments. For Classes 10 and 12, the framework divides assessments into two terms.

The report specifies that term assessments will include various classroom activities, such as portfolio assessments, self-assessments, peer assessments, teacher observations, group work, and laboratory activities. End-term assessments will continue to use competency-based methods through Information Technology-Enabled Monitoring Systems (ITMS), with teachers choosing questions from a question bank.

Additionally, Term II will introduce formative assessments, including project work, paper presentations with viva voce, and group discussions. The summative assessment will feature a common paper with long and short answer questions, very short answers, and multiple-choice questions aligned with learning outcomes and based on a standardized question paper design and blueprint.

“Big Ideas”: The Revised Class 6 Social Science NCERT Textbook’s Main Focus

July 21, 2024, 11:17 pm

The newly revised Class VI National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) social science textbook introduces significant changes, reflecting a revised narrative of ancient Indian history and culture. One notable addition is the concept of “madhya rekha,” an ancient Indian prime meridian that predates the Greenwich meridian. This meridian traversed the city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, which was a notable center for astronomy. The textbook states, “The Greenwich Meridian is not the first prime meridian. There were others in the past. In fact, many centuries before Europe, India had a prime meridian of its own! It was called madhya rekhā (or ‘middle line’) and passed through the city of Ujjayinī (today Ujjain), which was a reputed center for astronomy over many centuries. Varāhamihira, a famous astronomer, lived and worked there some 1,500 years ago. Indian astronomers were aware of the concepts of latitude and longitude, including the need for a zero or prime meridian. The Ujjayinī meridian became a reference for calculations in all Indian astronomical texts.”

In addition to this, the textbook has undergone several notable modifications:

1. Rebranding of the Harappan Civilization: The Harappan civilization is now referred to as the “Sindhu-Sarasvati” civilization. This change emphasizes the significance of the Sarasvati river, identifying it as the seasonal “Ghaggar” in India and “Hakra” in Pakistan.

2. Omission of Caste-Based Discrimination: References to caste-based discrimination have been omitted. Previously, the textbook addressed the categorization of people into varnas and the exclusion of Shudras and women from ritual participation and Vedic study. The new text does not include these details, instead mentioning various professions in Vedic texts without reference to caste.

3. Alterations to BR Ambedkar’s Experiences: The revised textbook also alters the representation of BR Ambedkar’s experiences with discrimination, although specific changes are not detailed in the provided summary.

4. Condensed Content: The new Class VI social science textbook combines what were previously separate history, geography, and civics books into a single, streamlined text titled “Exploring Society India and Beyond.” The focus is now on “big ideas,” integrating insights from various disciplines.

5. Abridged Coverage of Ancient Kingdoms: Detailed explorations of ancient Indian kingdoms have been substantially abridged. Four chapters from the previous textbook, which included content on the kingdoms of Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya, the Gupta, Pallava, and Chalukya dynasties, and Kalidasa’s works, have been removed. King Ashoka is only mentioned once in a timeline.

6. Removed Chapters and Content: The chapter on “Villages, Towns, and Trade,” which discussed tools, coins, irrigation, crafts, and trade, has been significantly truncated. References to historical sites such as the iron pillar at Qutub Minar, the Sanchi Stupa, the monolithic temples of Mahabalipuram, and the Ajanta cave paintings have also been expunged.

The textbook rationalization initiated during Covid-19, initially characterized as temporary by NCERT, has led to these further revisions. Dinesh Saklani, director of NCERT, explains in the introductory chapter that the text has been streamlined to emphasize “big ideas,” aiming to integrate insights from various disciplines while condensing the content.

NCERT To Replace ‘India’ With ‘Bharat’ In Textbooks: Here’s What The Council Says?

June 17, 2024, 9:41 pm

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has settled the debate over the usage of “Bharat” versus “India” in its textbooks by affirming that both terms will be used interchangeably. NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani emphasized the council’s adherence to the Indian Constitution, which recognizes both names and allows flexibility in their usage depending on context.

Saklani clarified NCERT’s stance, stating, “It is interchangeable… our position is what our Constitution says and we uphold that. We can use Bharat, we can use India, what is the problem? We are not in that debate. Wherever it suits we will use India, wherever it suits we will use Bharat.”

This decision by NCERT comes amidst discussions sparked by a high-level panel’s recommendation to replace “India” with “Bharat” across school textbooks. The committee proposed this change alongside suggestions to introduce “classical history” and integrate the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into the curriculum for all subjects.

Committee chairperson C I Isaac supported the recommendation, highlighting the historical significance of the name “Bharat” rooted in ancient texts like the Vishnu Purana. Isaac underscored that “Bharat” has a longstanding cultural heritage dating back thousands of years.

The debate gained traction recently when G20 invitations referred to world leaders as representing “Bharat,” not “India.” This choice was echoed during the summit in New Delhi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate displayed “Bharat” instead of “India.”

NCERT’s decision to use both “Bharat” and “India” interchangeably reflects a balanced approach aimed at respecting historical and constitutional contexts while ensuring clarity and relevance in educational materials.

NCERT Revises Class 12 Textbook; Omits Ayodhya Dispute, Babri Masjid

June 17, 2024, 5:14 am

The newly revised NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook, released last week, has significantly altered its coverage of the Babri Masjid and the controversial Ayodhya dispute. The revised text refrains from mentioning the Babri Masjid by name, referring to it instead as a “three-domed structure.” The section on Ayodhya has been condensed from four pages to two, with several key details omitted.

The previous textbook provided an extensive account of events surrounding the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992. This included the BJP’s rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, the role of kar sevaks, communal violence following the demolition, and the imposition of President’s rule in BJP-ruled states. Additionally, it highlighted the BJP’s expression of regret over the incident and the subsequent debate over secularism.

In contrast, the revised version mentions the 1986 court decision to unlock the structure for worship and notes the longstanding dispute over the site, believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Shri Ram. It briefly outlines the heightened tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities and mentions the demolition of the structure in 1992, without detailing the communal violence that followed.

The new textbook introduces a subsection on the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict, which awarded the disputed site to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust for the construction of a Ram temple and directed the government to allot land for a mosque. This section emphasizes the role of the legal process in resolving the dispute and highlights the decision as a testament to India’s democratic ethos.

Notably, all newspaper clippings and references to specific judgments, including the 1994 Supreme Court conviction of then UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh for contempt of court, have been removed. The updated content aligns with NCERT’s ongoing efforts to reflect recent political developments and reduce curriculum load.

This revision marks the fourth round of changes to NCERT textbooks since 2014, with previous updates aimed at incorporating recent events, reducing syllabus burden, and addressing learning disruptions due to COVID.

Dharmendra Pradhan states: NCERT obtains university-level status.

September 1, 2023, 2:38 pm

According to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been given the status of deemed university.
At a celebration in the nation’s capital honoring NCERT’s 63rd founding anniversary, the minister made the statement. He said, “Today, I would want to announce that NCERT has been designated as being recognized as a university.

In order to assist and advise the government on issues pertaining to school education, NCERT was founded in 1961 under the Society Act.
On the recommendation of the UGC, the Central Government may designate a higher education institution that is not a university as an institution “deemed to be a university” if it performs at a very high level in a particular field of study.

NCERT will grant its own graduation, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees with the declared university status.
Pradhan opened three labs, two of which focused on teacher training facilities and virtual reality education.

NCERT includes chapter on National War Memorial in Class 7 English textbook

August 28, 2023, 8:59 pm

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included a chapter on the National War Memorial in the Class 7 English textbook in order to instill the values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage, and sacrifice in schoolchildren, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on Monday.

According to the e-version of the book available on the Council’s website, the chapter titled “A Homage to our Brave Soldiers” is featured as the final chapter of the book “Honeycomb.”

According to a statement from the defense ministry, the initiative was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Education with the goal of “instilling the values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage, and sacrifice among school children and increasing youth participation in nation building.”

Academics on NCERT textbook row : Process of updating curriculum is disrupted by name withdrawal ‘spectacle’

June 16, 2023, 11:10 am

Over 71 academicians have issued a statement regarding “false propaganda” being spread against the top educational research institution amid the controversy surrounding the removal of specific sections of syllabi by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as part of its effort to reduce the content load on students. “Through misinformation, rumours, and false allegations, they want to derail the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and disrupt the updation of NCERT textbooks,” the statement signed by Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Prof Dhananjay Singh, Member Secretary, the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) among others read. “In the past three months, there have been deliberate attempts to malign the NCERT, a leading public institution, and disrupt the much-needed process for curriculum updation,” the statement which has been signed by leading academicians from the country’s top educational institutions including vice-chancellors of central universities and IIM chairpersons read.
Hitting back at academicians for withdrawing their names as advisors from the NCERT, the statement said the “name-withdrawal spectacle” is just to “capture media attention”. They “seem to have forgotten that textbooks are an outcome of collective intellectual engagement and rigorous efforts,” the statement read.
Explaining the changes in the textbooks, the statement said, “The scholars who have suggested the changes in the textbook have not suggested any epistemic rupture in the existing domain of knowledge but just rationalised the course content as per contemporary knowledge need.”
Responding to the question of who decides what is “unacceptable” or “desirable” for students, the academicians said, “Every new generation has the right to make additions or deletion to the existing knowledge base.”
The process of selection of the scholars for deciding the syllabi was “thoroughly liberal, democratic and humanistic,” they said adding that the selection process was far more “transparent and ethically justified” than previous committees.
Responding to questions on academic freedom, pedagogic integrity. and institutional propriety, the academicians said that the NCERT Director had clarified that a rigorous process was followed to maintain a high level of standards.
Pointing out the long overdue need for the updation of school curriculum, the academicians said that school curriculum in India has not been updated for nearly two decades and the last updation of textbooks was done in 2006.
Hitting back at those opposing the changes in the NCERT textbooks, the academicians called it their “intellectual arrogance.” “In their effort to pursue their political agenda, they are willing to jeopardise the future of crores of youngsters all throughout the country. Updated textbooks are highly anticipated by students, but these academics keep putting up barriers and derailing the process”, they claimed.

Based on Latest NCERT books 2023-24, Class 10th, 12th Sample Papers & Question Bank launched

April 12, 2023, 3:58 pm

With its dedication to giving students across India a quality education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken one step ahead to fulfill commitment. The CBSE 10, 12, Sample Papers & Question Bank has been released, giving students access to a thorough and current resource that is in line with the most recent revisions to the NCERT texts for the 2023–24 academic year.

One of the highlights of the CBSE 10 & 12 Question Bank is its alignment with the latest updates in the NCERT books 2023-24. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) recently made a landmark decision to revamp the content of history textbooks by removing certain chapters that focused on the Mughal Empire. This decision comes as part of NCERT’s efforts to provide a fresh perspective on Indian history and promote a more inclusive and diverse approach to education.

This decision comes as part of NCERT’s efforts to provide a fresh perspective on Indian history and promote a more inclusive and diverse approach to education. The recently erased chapters from the NCERT books 2023-24 “Themes of Indian History-Part II” are related to the Mughal Courts during the 16th and 17th centuries. Several chapters have been removed from the syllabus of Class 11 and 12, including ‘Central Islamic Lands’, ‘Confrontation of Cultures’, ‘The Industrial Revolution’, ‘Rise of Popular Movements’, and ‘Era of One-Party Dominance’.

Additionally, chapters from the Class 10 NCERT books 2023-24 ‘Democratic Politics-II’, such as ‘Democracy and Diversity’, ‘Popular Struggles and Movements’, and ‘Challenges to Democracy’ have been reduced.

CBSE class 10 & 12 board exams play a crucial role in any student’s life. These exams act as a stepping stone for future endeavors and no matter in which stream you are, these board exams will help you define your future career.
The new session for classes 10 & 12 has just started and keeping that in mind, CBSE has launched the latest CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2023-24 and CBSE Sample Paper Class 12 2023-24 .