NCERT Overhauls Textbook Panel: Four RSS-Linked Academics Join Committee

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has officially reconstituted the textbook development team for Class 11 and 12 Political Science. The new 20-member committee is charged with revising the curriculum to align with contemporary educational needs. Notably, four members of the panel have been identified as having links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This move has sparked significant debate regarding the ideological direction of India's social science education, as these textbooks are used by millions of students across the country.

Panel head Sandeep Shastri has addressed the concerns surrounding the committee's composition by stating that the primary focus will remain on keeping the textbooks strictly factual. Shastri emphasised that the goal is to provide a balanced view of political systems and history without ideological bias. The panel intends to review existing content and incorporate verified historical and political developments to ensure students receive an accurate representation of the subject. This includes updating sections on governance, international relations, and India's democratic framework to reflect the current political landscape.

The overhaul is part of a broader effort by the NCERT to refresh the National Curriculum Framework. Education experts suggest that these changes will have a long-lasting impact on how the next generation perceives Indian politics and global affairs. While the council maintains that the revisions are routine and necessary for academic rigour, critics argue that the inclusion of members with specific political affiliations could lead to the sanitisation of controversial historical events. The final textbooks are expected to be introduced in the upcoming academic cycle, pending final approvals from the Ministry of Education.