NCERT has reconstituted its textbook development team for Class 11 and 12 Political Science, integrating members with documented links to the RSS and ABVP. The new mandate focuses on embedding cultural rootedness and Indian knowledge systems into the curriculum.

  • NCERT has formed a new panel to develop Class 11 and 12 Political Science textbooks.
  • The team is led by academic analyst Sandeep Shastri.
  • At least four members have documented ties to the RSS, ABVP, or BJP.
  • The curriculum will prioritize 'cultural rootedness' and 'Indian knowledge systems'.

New Delhi: In a significant move toward reshaping the national curriculum, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reconstituted its textbook development team for Class 11 and 12 Political Science. The new mandate explicitly calls for the integration of 'cultural rootedness' and 'Indian knowledge systems' into the academic framework. Notably, the selection process has brought several academics with direct or indirect links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) into the core decision-making body.

The development team will be headed by Sandeep Shastri, a prominent academic and political analyst who currently serves as the Vice-President of Nitte University in Karnataka. The team is tasked with a strict timeline: completing the Class 11 textbook by November and the Class 12 textbook by July next year.

Read Also:JNU Administration Cancels Booking for Umar Khalid Book Discussion; JNUSU to Proceed Anyway

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this reconstitution marks a pivotal shift in India's pedagogical approach, moving away from traditional Western-centric political models toward a more nationalist and indigenous framework. This ideological pivot in textbooks can significantly influence the political consciousness of millions of students across the country.

The panel includes several high-profile academics with ideological affiliations. Yadunath Deshpande, a senior consultant with the Ministry of Education, has a long history with the ABVP (the student wing of the RSS). Vandana Mishra, a professor at JNU, is a former national secretary of the ABVP, while Ravi Rameshchandra Shukla of JNU has focused his research extensively on 'spiritual and cultural nationalism'.

The restructuring of NCERT panels suggests a strategic effort to align national education with the broader goal of cultural decolonization.

In addition to the ideological composition, the NCERT notification issued by Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary learning. The team will consult various curricular area groups to ensure that themes like environmental education, innovative pedagogy, and multilingual perspectives are seamlessly woven into the new political science modules.

Did You Know?: NCERT textbooks are the primary reference for major competitive exams in India, including the UPSC, making these changes highly consequential for future civil servants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the primary goal of the new NCERT panel?
The goal is to integrate Indian knowledge systems and cultural rootedness into the political science curriculum.

2. Who is leading the new textbook development team?
The team is led by Sandeep Shastri, Vice-President of Nitte University.