Ministry of Education instructed NCERT to conduct an annual review of textbooks
The Union education ministry has initiated a directive for the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to establish an annual review system for textbooks, ensuring necessary revisions are made prior to the printing of new editions preceding each academic session, as per officials familiar with the matter.
Traditionally, the NCERT has been releasing new editions of textbooks annually, aligning with the commencement of academic sessions. While there hasn’t been a fixed mandate for yearly textbook reviews, the Council has been actively engaged in revising and updating content since 2017. Notably, significant revisions were undertaken between 2022 and 2023 as part of a syllabus rationalization initiative aimed at alleviating student pressure amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior officials within the Ministry emphasized the necessity of instituting an annual review process for textbooks. They highlighted the importance of ensuring that students acquire the most up-to-date versions of educational materials when commencing a new academic session.
The rationale behind this directive lies in the dynamic nature of education and knowledge dissemination. Textbooks, once published, should evolve to incorporate emerging concepts and updated information. This includes subjects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which are continually evolving. Previously, there was no explicit requirement for yearly textbook reviews, making this directive a significant step towards maintaining educational relevance.
According to the aforementioned official, the implementation of this directive will likely span a period of at least two years, ensuring that all textbooks are aligned with the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Consequently, students across all classes can expect to receive updated textbooks in line with the new NCF by the academic session of 2026-27.
The NCERT’s textbook revision process aligns closely with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly the release of the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) last year. As part of this alignment, the Council has already released updated textbooks for classes 3rd and 6th, consistent with the new NCF guidelines.
This year, the NCERT has undertaken substantial revisions in textbooks, particularly in subjects like History, Political Science, and Sociology. Notable changes include the removal of references to sensitive political events such as the Babri Masjid demolition and the 2002 Gujarat riots, while introducing new content such as the abrogation of Article 370. Additionally, terminology has been updated, replacing “Azad Pakistan” with “Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)” and refining definitions such as that of the political Left. These revisions reflect the NCERT’s commitment to providing students with accurate and contemporary educational materials in accordance with evolving educational paradigms.