NCERT reconstitutes panel for Classes 11 and 12 Political Science books, 4 members RSS-linked

NCERT has reconstituted a 20-member team to prepare new Political Science textbooks for Classes 11 and 12. The move advances NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023 implementation while draft books face layered review before publication.NCERT has reconstituted a 20-member panel, including four members associated with the RSS, to draft new Political Science textbooks and teaching-learning material for Classes 11 and 12. The Class 11 textbook is scheduled for completion by November 30, 2026.The move comes as NCERT works to align senior secondary textbooks with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. The new team will replace the panel formed in June 2025.The reconstituted Textbook Development Team (TDT) was notified by NCERT Director D.P. Saklani on August 14. Prof. Sandeep Shastri, Vice President (Bangalore), Nitte (Deemed to be University), has been appointed as the TDT Leader.CLASS 11 TEXTBOOK FIRST IN LINENCERT has given the team a deadline of November 30, 2026, to complete the Class 11 Political Science textbook. Work on the Class 12 textbook is expected to be completed by July 30, 2027. The deadlines come at a time when concerns have been raised about delays in making updated textbooks available after curriculum changes. A recent parliamentary committee highlighted a gap between curriculum design and the availability of new textbooks for Classes 9 to 12.The committee noted that curriculum reforms linked to NEP 2020 and NCF 2023 have moved ahead while some corresponding textbooks are yet to be finalised. The latest NCERT move is therefore expected to speed up the preparation of textbooks for the senior secondary level.WIDER GROUP OF EXPERTSThe 20-member panel brings together academics, school educators and experts from universities, law schools, open learning institutions and government bodies.Among the members are Prof. Vandana Mishra and Prof. Prakash Kandpal from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr Chetan Singhai of Chanakya University, Bengaluru, Dr Needhi Gupta of National Law University, Delhi, Dr Ravi R. Shukla of JNU, Dr Prashant Divekar of Jnana Prabodhini, Pune, and Dr Deevanshu Shrivastava of the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi.Dr Vanthangpui Khobung will serve as Member Coordinator and Dr Subhash Singh as Member Co-Coordinator.The inclusion of experts from both higher education and schools is intended to bring academic and classroom perspectives into the textbook-writing process.FOCUS ON INDIAN KNOWLEDGE AND NEW TEACHING METHODSThe new textbooks are expected to reflect the broader changes proposed under NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023.The team will work with Curricular Area Groups covering Social Sciences, Languages and Innovative Pedagogy. The material will include themes such as Indian Knowledge Systems, cultural rootedness, environmental education, value-based learning, equity and inclusion, value-based education and age-appropriate teaching methods.The use of information and communication technology (ICT) will also be part of the new teaching-learning material.NCERT's existing senior secondary Political Science books have traditionally combined academic concepts with discussions of India's Constitution, institutions, political developments and contemporary world politics. The current Class 12 Political Science books, for example, include Politics in India Since Independence and Contemporary World Politics.The new textbooks will not be published immediately after the drafting process. NCERT has provided for periodic reviews of draft chapters by the Textbook Core Group, along with members of the National Syllabus and Teaching-Learning Material Committee (NSTC) and the National Curriculum Framework Oversight Committee (NOC).The final versions will be published only after the review and approval process is completed.The reconstitution also signals that the next phase of NCERT's textbook reform is moving from curriculum development to the preparation of classroom material.NCERT has separately continued to publish and update material linked to the NCF-SE 2023 and other curriculum reforms on its website.- EndsPublished By: Rishab ChauhanPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 21:28 IST