NCERT forms panel to review textbooks amid row over Rajput, Ahom history

NEW DELHI: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has constituted a committee to examine feedback received on textbook content, including objections to the depiction of Jaisalmer as part of the Maratha Empire, alleged misrepresentation of Ahom history, and the exclusion of the 1817 Paika Rebellion.

In a statement on Thursday, the NCERT said that in keeping with its established practice, it has formed a panel comprising senior experts to examine suggestions and concerns related to the educational content in a few textbooks. “This committee will examine the feedback in light of the available evidence and submit its report as soon as possible,” the statement noted.

The committee is headed by Professor Ranjana Arora, head of the NCERT’s Department of Curriculum Studies and Development. The move comes amid mounting criticism from public figures and historians over alleged factual inaccuracies and exclusions in recently revised school textbooks.

The new NCERT textbook for class 8 is out. The segments on economics has been reoriented significantly. They include modern technology and supply chains. Also, the importance of entrepreneurs has been highlighted. Earlier textbooks represented them as “hoaders” or otherwise… pic.twitter.com/ZFl1W1wuwV

— Sanjeev Sanyal (@sanjeevsanyal) August 7, 2025

The NCERT has begun rolling out newly updated textbooks for several classes as part of its curriculum revision. While all books till Class 8 have already been released, the remaining ones–from Class 9 to 12–are expected to be out by the end of the year.

Among the recent feedback under review is the depiction of Jaisalmer as part of the Maratha Empire in the Class 8 Social Science textbook, sources said. Chaitanya Raj Singh, a descendant of Jaisalmer’s former royal family, criticised the NCERT Class 8 social science textbook for portraying the Rajput state as part of the Maratha Empire.

Calling the depiction “historically misleading and factually baseless”, Singh urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to “correct” what he termed “erroneous, malicious, and agenda-driven content”.

Objections have also been raised over the portrayal of other regional histories. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed disappointment over the removal of the 1817 Paika Rebellion from the Class 8 history textbook. Calling it a “watershed moment in Odisha’s history”, Patnaik said the exclusion undermines the legacy of the Paikas, who led a revolt against British rule nearly four decades before the 1857 uprising.

Sources said the committee is likely to examine representations made on topics including the Ahoms in Assam (in the Class 8 social science book), coverage of South Indian dynasties, and certain chapters in vocational and physical education books.

Actor R Madhavan also recently joined the chorus of voices questioning the revised syllabus, specifically pointing out the disproportionate focus on Mughal and British rule, while Southern Indian dynasties like the Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, and Cheras receive less attention.

The NCERT said feedback is routinely reviewed through institutional mechanisms. “It is a well-established practice that whenever substantial feedback or suggestions are received regarding the content or pedagogy of a textbook, a committee comprising domain experts is constituted to carefully deliberate on the matter and recommend appropriate actions”. (ANI)