NCERT Books mandatory in CBSE schools; Guidelines effective immediately

The new guidelines, issued by CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta, take effect immediately, reflecting the Board’s commitment to upholding high educational standards. The amendments are designed to enhance uniformity and quality across schools nationwide.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced substantial revisions to its Affiliation Bye-Laws, focusing on the mandatory use of NCERT textbooks across schools in India. These updates, detailed in Chapter 2, Clause 2.4.7 of the Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018, aim to standardize educational content and prevent the inclusion of objectionable material.

Immediate Implementation of Revised Guidelines

The new guidelines, issued by CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta, take effect immediately, reflecting the Board’s commitment to upholding high educational standards. The amendments are designed to enhance uniformity and quality across schools nationwide.

Amendments for Classes I to VIII

For students in Classes I to VIII, the revised guidelines strongly recommend the use of NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) or SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks. Schools are permitted to supplement these texts with additional materials, provided they align with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). Supplementary materials must reinforce core content and include discussions, analyses, examples, and practical applications. This approach ensures that students receive a comprehensive education, integrating theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, and maintains consistency across different states and schools.

Mandatory Use of NCERT Textbooks for Classes IX to XII

For higher classes, IX to XII, the CBSE has mandated the use of NCERT textbooks as specified in the CBSE curriculum. If NCERT or SCERT textbooks are unavailable for certain subjects, schools should use CBSE books available on the Board’s official website. While schools are allowed to use supplementary materials and digital content to enrich the learning experience, these additions must align with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). The incorporation of digital content is particularly encouraged to enhance traditional textbooks and offer a more engaging learning experience.

Content Sensitivity

A significant aspect of the revised guidelines is the focus on content sensitivity. Schools are required to exercise caution when selecting supplementary materials, digital content, or books from private publishers to avoid any content that could be considered objectionable or offensive to any class, community, gender, or religious group. This directive aligns with CBSE’s broader goal of promoting an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.

Accountability and Transparency

To ensure accountability, CBSE requires schools to publicly disclose the list of prescribed books for all classes on their websites. This list must be accompanied by a written declaration, signed by both the school’s Manager and Principal, affirming that the contents of the prescribed books have been thoroughly reviewed and that the school assumes full responsibility for them. Should a school be found using books with objectionable content, the responsibility will fall on the school, and CBSE will take appropriate action.

These revisions to the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws are intended to foster a more standardized and inclusive educational experience, reinforcing the Board’s commitment to quality and respect in school education.

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