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NCERT Textbook Drafting Process: NSTC, CAGs, NOC Under NEP 2020 & NCFSE 2023 Framework

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
03 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:NSTC 19 membersSocial Science CAG 35 membersTextbook Development Team 51 membersNOC 13 members
Bodies:Supreme CourtNCERTNSTCCAGNOCNIEPAEAC-PMSCERT
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Supreme Court imposed a 'complete blanket ban' on an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook over a section on 'corruption in the judiciary'.

2.The textbook drafting process involves the 19-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), Curricular Area Groups (CAGs), and a National Curriculum Frameworks Oversight Committee (NOC), aligned with NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023.

3.The 35-member Social Science CAG, headed by Michel Danino, formed a textbook development team of 51 members, including contributors and reviewers, whose draft undergoes revisions before final NSTC review.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Supreme Court imposed a ban on an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook over content on judiciary corruption, directing the NCERT Director to submit details of the responsible committees. This incident highlights the high-stakes, multi-layered process of drafting textbooks under NEP 2020, involving the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), Curricular Area Groups (CAGs), and a National Curriculum Frameworks Oversight Committee (NOC).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Supreme Court DirectiveDirected NCERT Director D P Saklani to submit details of NSTC and textbook development team
NSTC Size19-member committee (now 16 members after Bibek Debroy's demise)
Social Science CAG Size35-member committee
Textbook Development Team Size51 members for the withdrawn book
NOC Size13-member National Curriculum Frameworks Oversight Committee

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Supreme Court Directive: Directed NCERT Director D P Saklani to submit details of NSTC and textbook development team
  • ›NSTC Size: 19-member committee (now 16 members after Bibek Debroy's demise)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC) and Curricular Area Groups (CAGs).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Supreme Court's power to issue directives under Article 142 for 'complete blanket ban'.
  • ›Target this Data: The 19-member NSTC, 35-member Social Science CAG, and 13-member NOC.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which organization is responsible for developing the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) and the associated textbooks?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the NCERT textbook drafting process:

1. The National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC) is tasked with developing the school syllabus and textbooks.

2. The Curricular Area Group (CAG) for Social Sciences is headed by Michel Danino.

3. The National Curriculum Frameworks Oversight Committee (NOC) ensures alignment of textbooks with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the article, what is the total number of members in the National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC) after the demise of one of its members?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary reason for the Supreme Court's directive to the NCERT Director in the context of the textbook controversy?

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