NCERT Political Science Books to be Updated; New Team Constituted

NCERT has constituted a 20-member team to prepare new Political Science textbooks for Classes 11 and 12. The team has been tasked with finalizing the syllabus and developing new textbooks in alignment with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023.NCERT New Textbooks 2026: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reconstituted a 20-member team to prepare new Political Science textbooks for Classes 11 and 12. The team is responsible for finalizing the syllabus and creating new textbooks in accordance with NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE).This new team will be led by Prof. Sandeep Shastri, Vice-Chancellor (Bengaluru) of Nitte Deemed University and an academic and political analyst. Dr. Vanthangpui Khobung and Dr. Subhash Singh have been appointed as member-coordinators. They will facilitate formal communication within the team and handle matters related to NCERT meetings and publishing guidelines.Claims of 4 Members Being Linked to RSS and ABVPThe new 20-member team includes at least four members reported to have ties with the RSS, its student wing (ABVP), or affiliated organizations. Among them is Yadunath Deshpande, a senior advisor associated with the Ministry of Education’s National Syllabus and Teaching-Learning Material Committee. According to ABVP records, he has served as the organization’s Joint State Organizing Secretary in Maharashtra and as the Organizing Secretary for the Mumbai-Konkan region. The team also includes Dr. Prashant Divekar, Head of the Teacher Education Centre and Research Program at Pune-based Jnana Prabodhini. Jnana Prabodhini was founded in 1962 by RSS pracharak Vinayak Vishwanath. JNU Professor Vandana Mishra is also part of the team; she is a former National Secretary of the ABVP. Additionally, JNU Associate Professor… Dr. Ravi Ramesh Chandra Shukla has had an association with the RSS.Class 11 books to be prepared firstNCERT has also set a timeline for the new books. A target has been set to complete the Class 11 Political Science textbook by November 30, 2026. Subsequently, the Class 12 textbooks are scheduled to be ready by July 30, 2027. The new books will be developed in alignment with the curriculum changes mandated by NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023. The team comprises experts and teachers from universities, law institutes, open learning institutes, and other academic sectors.Emphasis on the Indian Knowledge System in the booksThe new Political Science textbooks will incorporate the Indian Knowledge System and cultural connectivity as key cross-cutting themes. Additionally, aspects such as equity and inclusion, age-appropriate pedagogy, value education, environmental education, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will be taken into account. The team is required to consult with NCERT groups specializing in the Indian Knowledge System, Social Sciences, languages, environmental education, and innovative pedagogy. A review will also be conducted to assess how these themes have been integrated into each chapter of the book.Multi-stage review process for the booksThe new books will not be published immediately. All 20 team members will contribute to the writing process, content review, language editing, and establishing interdisciplinary connections. Before drafting the content, each member must review the relevant literature. Drafted chapters will first be shared with the entire team. Subsequently, the textbook core group will periodically review these chapters and offer necessary suggestions. An NCERT review committee will also examine the books. The books will be published and made available to students only after receiving final approval. Furthermore, if the need arises, NCERT may engage external experts—such as teachers, illustrators, or designers—for specific chapters.