Opposition Alleges Saffronisation of NCERT Political Science Textbooks

A fresh political controversy has erupted over the preparation of new political science textbooks for Classes 11 and 12 by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Opposition leaders have formally accused the central government of attempting to saffronize the national curriculum. The core of the allegation lies in the composition of the expert team tasked with drafting these books, which reportedly includes several individuals with direct or indirect links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its various affiliates. Critics argue that this selection process undermines the academic neutrality required for sensitive social science subjects.

The primary concern raised by the opposition is that the new curriculum might prioritize a specific ideological narrative while diluting historical facts related to India's secular foundations and diverse political heritage. This follows a series of rationalization exercises conducted by NCERT in recent years, which saw the removal of certain chapters on the Mughal Empire, the 2002 Gujarat riots, and democratic protests. The government, however, maintains that the revisions are necessary to reduce the academic burden on students and to align the syllabus with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes an India-centric learning approach.

This debate highlights the growing friction between the ruling administration and the opposition regarding the control of educational institutions and the shaping of future generations' perspectives. For the average Indian student and parent, this controversy raises questions about the objectivity and global competitiveness of the CBSE curriculum. While the NCERT has denied any political bias in its functioning, the ongoing protests by academic unions and opposition parties suggest that the rollout of these textbooks will remain a highly contentious issue in the upcoming parliamentary sessions. Educators are calling for a more transparent, peer-reviewed process to restore trust in the national curriculum.