NCERT Denies Removing Political Science Chapters from Class 12 Textbooks, Calls Reports ‘Factually Incorrect’

Clarification has come after widespread discussion and criticism on social media platforms and some news portals about updated NCERT textbooks for academic session 2024–25.

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has refuted claims that chapters were removed from Class 12 Political Science textbooks, calling recent media reports on issue “factually incorrect and misleading.” The clarification came through an official post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

“No chapter of Political Science has been removed. Factually incorrect and misleading information is being spread by certain media platforms,” NCERT posted, urging media outlets to verify facts before circulating information.

Clarification follows widespread discussion and criticism on social media platforms and some news portals about the updated NCERT textbooks for the academic session 2024–25. The issue gained traction after reports alleged that chapters related to democracy, the Emergency period, and popular movements had been omitted or reduced in the newly published textbooks.

While NCERT has not directly named any publication or specific report, the statement appears to respond to growing concerns that the syllabus rationalisation process is affecting the ideological balance of the curriculum, an allegation that has emerged in previous years as well.

Background: Rationalisation and NEP Alignment

NCERT has been engaged in syllabus rationalisation since 2020, citing the need to reduce academic burden on students post-COVID and align school education with National Education Policy. The council has maintained that all changes are made after consultation with subject experts and curriculum committees.

Updated textbooks are a part of this ongoing curriculum reform under NEP 2020, which also includes the introduction of new pedagogical structures and content revisions across subjects.

NCERT had earlier announced that new textbooks based on NEP compliant curricula for Classes 3 and 6 would be introduced in 2024–25, with other grades following in subsequent years. Class 12 textbooks were revised to reflect these changes, but council clarified that no existing chapters from Political Science have been dropped.

Printed Textbooks Will Clarify Further

In its tweet, NCERT also mentioned that full clarity will be available once the printed textbooks are released. “Once printed textbooks are available, things will be clear,” the post stated, implying that some of confusion may be arising due to incomplete or early versions of the material in circulation.