The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has constituted a high-level committee to review and address concerns raised over historical representations in recently revised school textbooks. This move comes in response to growing criticism from scholars, political leaders, and members of the public regarding factual inaccuracies and controversial omissions in educational content.
In an official statement released on Thursday, NCERT announced the formation of the committee, chaired by Professor Ranjana Arora, head of the Department of Curriculum Studies and Development. The committee comprises senior experts who will assess the feedback in light of historical evidence and scholarly consensus. “This committee will examine the feedback in light of the available evidence and submit its report as soon as possible,” the statement read.
Among the major controversies being reviewed is the depiction of Jaisalmer as part of the Maratha Empire in the Class 8 Social Science textbook. Chaitanya Raj Singh, a descendant of Jaisalmer’s former royal family, condemned the portrayal as “historically misleading and factually baseless.” He appealed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to amend what he described as “erroneous, malicious, and agenda-driven content.”
Another significant objection pertains to the removal of the 1817 Paika Rebellion from the Class 8 history curriculum. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik voiced his concern, calling the rebellion a “watershed moment in Odisha’s history.” He stressed that omitting the uprising undermines the valiant efforts of the Paikas, who led a revolt against British colonial rule nearly four decades before the widely recognized 1857 uprising.
Historians and educators have also raised alarms over the alleged misrepresentation of the Ahom dynasty in Assam and inadequate representation of South Indian dynasties. Critics argue that the omissions and distortions in the updated textbooks could result in a skewed understanding of India’s rich and diverse historical tapestry among young learners.
The NCERT has been undertaking a curriculum revision process aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. While textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 have already been rolled out under the revised framework, textbooks for Classes 9 to 12 are expected to be released by the end of the year.
The establishment of the review committee signals NCERT’s willingness to engage with stakeholders and uphold the academic integrity of school textbooks. The outcome of the panel’s deliberations is likely to influence future revisions and may lead to the restoration or correction of controversial content.
As the discourse on historical accuracy in education gains momentum, the role of institutions like NCERT becomes pivotal in ensuring that students receive balanced, evidence-based knowledge that respects India’s pluralistic heritage. The education community now awaits the findings and recommendations of the panel, which are expected to set a precedent for future content development processes.
