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NCERT Textbook Revisions Under NEP 2020 Spark Controversy Over Content Changes Including Gujarat Riots, Mughal History

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
27 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:NEP 2020NCFSE 2023Four revision rounds since 2014
Bodies:NCERTSupreme Court
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What This Article Covers

1.A new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook was withdrawn within a day after including a section on 'corruption in the judiciary', prompting Supreme Court intervention.

2.This incident follows a series of over 15 textbook revisions since 2014, aligning with NEP 2020, which have altered depictions of events like the Gujarat riots, Mughal history, and minority issues.

3.For exam aspirants, this highlights the ongoing debate over educational content, historical narrative, and institutional autonomy under the National Education Policy 2020.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A new NCERT Class 8 textbook featuring a section on 'corruption in the judiciary' was swiftly withdrawn, highlighting a pattern of controversial content revisions in NCERT textbooks since 2014 under NEP 2020. These revisions, often going unchallenged, have altered descriptions of sensitive historical events, communal violence, and minority representation.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Policy FrameworkNational Education Policy (NEP) 2020, National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023
Textbook Revision RoundsFour rounds since 2014, plus rationalisation in 2022-23
Key Year for Revisions2022-23 (Rationalisation)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Policy Framework: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023
  • ›Textbook Revision Rounds: Four rounds since 2014, plus rationalisation in 2022-23
  • ›Target this Policy: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.
  • ›Target this Institution: NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training).
  • ›Target this Legal Term: Suo Motu (power used by the Supreme Court in this case).

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which autonomous organization is responsible for preparing and revising NCERT textbooks?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding NCERT textbook revisions mentioned in the article:

1. The new NCERT textbooks are being developed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

2. As part of revisions, references to the 'anti-Muslim riots' in Gujarat were replaced with 'Gujarat riots' in a Class 12 textbook.

3. The revised Class 12 Political Science textbook explicitly names the 'Babri Masjid' while describing the Ayodhya dispute.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, how many rounds of textbook revisions has NCERT undertaken since 2014, including the 'rationalisation' exercise?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary reason cited by NCERT for the withdrawal of the new Class 8 Social Science textbook?

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