NCERT Books Changes:
NCERT routinely updates the syllabus and content of its textbooks. Recent changes include alterations to the curriculum on the China-India border skirmish. Prior historical and political textbooks have also seen various inclusions and exclusions.
For the upcoming academic year, the reference to India's border situation with China in the NCERT's class 12 political science book has been altered. In the book 'Contemporary World Politics', Chapter 2 had a paragraph titled 'India-China Relations' where the statement 'However, military conflict over a border dispute between the two countries marred that hope.' has been changed to 'However, Chinese aggression on the Indian border has marred that hope.' NCERT stated the sentence was modified to better align with the chapter's context.
Key Changes in NCERT Textbooks Regarding POK
The referenced paragraph pertains to the era when Jawaharlal Nehru was Prime Minister, during which the slogan 'Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai' became popular. The textbook's narrative of China's annexation of Tibet in 1950, the final treaty on the Sino-Indian border, competing territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin in Ladakh, and the 1962 war are detailed. Not only India-China relations but also in the class 12th political science textbook 'Politics in India since Independence', the phrase 'Free Pakistan' has been changed to 'Pakistan Occupied Kashmir' (POK).
On page 119, the current version of the textbook stated, 'India claims that this region is under illegal occupation. Pakistan calls this area 'Free Pakistan'.' It has now been modified to say, 'However, this is Indian territory that is under illegal occupation by Pakistan and is referred to as Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POK).' NCERT mentioned that the change fully corresponds with the Indian government's latest position regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
The Khalistan Movement Removed from NCERT Books
References to the Khalistan movement, a separatist campaign for an independent Sikh state, have been removed from NCERT textbooks. On page 123, it used to read, 'The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation.' This has been revised to 'The Resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism in India.' A sentence that said, 'More extreme elements had started advocating separation.' has also been removed. NCERT explained that the online version had been updated, but not the hard copy, necessitating this change in the print editions.
NCERT's Changes Regarding Article 370
Page 132 of the NCERT book details the revocation of Article 370. Originally, it stated, 'While most states have equal powers, some states like J&K and the northeastern states have special provisions.' This has now changed to 'However, Article 370 containing special provisions for J&K, was abrogated in August 2019.'
Alterations Made in the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid Chapter
NCERT textbooks for school students have seen removals of examples from the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and the 2002 Gujarat riots, along with the reference to Hindutva and changes in the context of the merger of Manipur into India. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made several changes in its textbooks, removing sensitive topics from recent years.
1950:
China's occupation of Tibet and competing claims in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin.
1962:
Outbreak of the India-China war.
2019:
Abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
