NCERT Panel Recommends Substituting ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in School Textbooks

The 2022 Social Science committee entrusted with revising the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum has proposed a significant change: the substitution of ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in all Social Science textbooks up to Class 12. This transformative recommendation is expected to take effect in the forthcoming academic year, pending approval from the NCERT, according to Prof. C.I. Issac (Retd), Chairman of the committee.

Prof. Issac, a distinguished historian, and Padma Shri awardee, voiced the committee’s aspirations for this revision. “We are hoping it will be implemented from the next academic year, but it all depends on NCERT,” he emphasized.

The committee’s ambitions extend beyond nomenclature adjustments. They are advocating for a more inclusive curriculum that includes post-independence history, addressing a conspicuous absence in current NCERT textbooks. Prof. Issac explained, “Currently, there is no mention of post-independence history in NCERT books, so we have suggested that historical events that occurred from 1947 onwards should be incorporated, potentially reducing the emphasis on pre-independence history hours.” The committee has also proposed a change from ‘ancient history’ to the ‘classical period of Indian history.’ Furthermore, their recommendations encompass a more comprehensive focus on the Indian Knowledge System to enhance students’ understanding of the nation’s achievements, history, and culture.

This proposed revision follows a recent public debate that erupted in September when the Union government used “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India” in G20 dinner invitations. In response to the ensuing discussions, NCERT characterized the matter as “premature,” clarifying that expert consultations were ongoing regarding the committee’s suggestions. In an official statement, NCERT underscored, “Since the development of new syllabus and textbooks is in process, and for that purpose, various Curricular Area Groups of domain experts are being notified by the NCERT. So, it is too premature to comment on the news being flashed in the media on the concerned issue.”

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Simultaneously, NCERT has embarked on the final phase of developing new textbooks, assembling a 19-member committee tasked with aligning the school syllabus, textbooks, teaching materials, and learning resources with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for Classes 3-12. Notable members of this committee include Fields Medalist Manjul Bhargava, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Bibek Debroy, founding member of the RSS-affiliated Samskrita Bharati Chamu Krishna Shastry, philanthropist Sudha Murty, and renowned singer Shankar Mahadeva.