NCERT Political Science textbook revision controversy

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reconstituted a 20-member panel, led by Professor Sandeep Shastri, to develop new Political Science textbooks and teaching materials for Classes 11 and 12. This initiative is part of the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

The revision aims to shift focus from rote learning toward conceptual understanding, emphasizing themes such as “cultural rootedness” and “Indian Knowledge Systems.” The development process will involve literature reviews, drafting, and oversight by NCERT committees, with final textbooks undergoing periodic reviews by a Textbook Core Group.

The formation of the panel has drawn political criticism. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, have alleged ideological interference, noting that at least four panel members have documented links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or its student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Critics expressed concerns regarding how the new content might present secularism, democracy, and the Indian Constitution. Former NCERT Director J.S. Rajput defended the move, describing the criticism as an “absurd protest” and stating that an academic’s association with the RSS does not necessarily dictate their ideological output.