Preamble, secularism removed from NCERT's revised Class 9 Social Science textbook
NCERT's revised Class 9 Social Science textbook under NEP 2020 adds a chapter on the 1975–77 Emergency while removing the Preamble and references to "secular" and "secularism" from the text. The revised book also changes how the Constitution and the Election Commission are explained.
NCERT's revised Class 9 Social Science textbook under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a major curriculum overhaul. The new book introduces a dedicated chapter on the 1975–77 Emergency, expands lessons on India's electoral system and democratic institutions, and removes the Preamble along with references to "secular" and "secularism" from the main text.
It also revises chapters on the Constitution and the Election Commission as part of an integrated Social Science curriculum.
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE NEW TEXTBOOK?
The revised Social Science textbook, which integrates History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics into a single volume, marks a significant departure from previous editions. Among the most notable changes is the omission of the Preamble from the introductory chapter on the Constitution.
References to "secular" and "secularism," which featured in earlier editions, have also been removed from the primary text.
NCERT has instead introduced a broader discussion on constitutional values, institutions, and governance while restructuring the subject in line with the NEP 2020's integrated learning approach.
EMERGENCY CHAPTER MAKES ITS WAY INTO CURRICULUM
For the first time, Class 9 students will study a dedicated chapter on the 1975–77 Emergency, describing it as one of the most significant periods in independent India's democratic history. The chapter examines the suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, arrests of political leaders, and the eventual restoration of democratic processes after the Emergency ended.
The addition has drawn both praise and criticism, with supporters calling it an important historical inclusion and critics questioning the emphasis and presentation of the period.
Activist and politician Yogendra Yadav has however pointed out that the Emergency was included in the NCERT textbooks several years ago.
NEW FOCUS ON ELECTION COMMISSION AND ELECTORAL ROLLS
The revised textbook also introduces a separate chapter explaining the functioning of the Election Commission of India, electoral rolls, voter registration, and the conduct of elections. The chapter aims to familiarise students with India's electoral framework and democratic institutions at an earlier stage of schooling.
The updated content reflects NCERT's effort to strengthen civic education alongside constitutional studies.
Amid heightened public attention over the revised curriculum, NCERT has also warned students, parents, and schools against purchasing pirated or fake Class 9 Social Science textbooks.
The council said legal action has been initiated against unauthorised publishers and urged users to rely only on officially published editions to avoid misinformation and inaccurate content.
NCERT's revised Class 9 Social Science textbook under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a major curriculum overhaul. The new book introduces a dedicated chapter on the 1975–77 Emergency, expands lessons on India's electoral system and democratic institutions, and removes the Preamble along with references to "secular" and "secularism" from the main text.
It also revises chapters on the Constitution and the Election Commission as part of an integrated Social Science curriculum.
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE NEW TEXTBOOK?
The revised Social Science textbook, which integrates History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics into a single volume, marks a significant departure from previous editions. Among the most notable changes is the omission of the Preamble from the introductory chapter on the Constitution.
References to "secular" and "secularism," which featured in earlier editions, have also been removed from the primary text.
NCERT has instead introduced a broader discussion on constitutional values, institutions, and governance while restructuring the subject in line with the NEP 2020's integrated learning approach.
EMERGENCY CHAPTER MAKES ITS WAY INTO CURRICULUM
For the first time, Class 9 students will study a dedicated chapter on the 1975–77 Emergency, describing it as one of the most significant periods in independent India's democratic history. The chapter examines the suspension of civil liberties, press censorship, arrests of political leaders, and the eventual restoration of democratic processes after the Emergency ended.
The addition has drawn both praise and criticism, with supporters calling it an important historical inclusion and critics questioning the emphasis and presentation of the period.
Activist and politician Yogendra Yadav has however pointed out that the Emergency was included in the NCERT textbooks several years ago.
NEW FOCUS ON ELECTION COMMISSION AND ELECTORAL ROLLS
The revised textbook also introduces a separate chapter explaining the functioning of the Election Commission of India, electoral rolls, voter registration, and the conduct of elections. The chapter aims to familiarise students with India's electoral framework and democratic institutions at an earlier stage of schooling.
The updated content reflects NCERT's effort to strengthen civic education alongside constitutional studies.
Amid heightened public attention over the revised curriculum, NCERT has also warned students, parents, and schools against purchasing pirated or fake Class 9 Social Science textbooks.
The council said legal action has been initiated against unauthorised publishers and urged users to rely only on officially published editions to avoid misinformation and inaccurate content.
