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A high-level committee entrusted with revising the school curriculum by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recommended significant changes in India’s educational materials. The committee’s chairperson, CI Issac, disclosed the committee’s unanimous suggestions, which have been outlined in the final position paper on social sciences. These recommendations serve as a foundation for the development of updated NCERT textbooks.
One notable recommendation is the substitution of ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in school textbooks. The committee argues that ‘Bharat’ is an age-old name, with historical references dating back over 7,000 years to ancient texts such as the Vishnu Purana. According to Issac, the use of the term ‘India’ only became common after the establishment of the East India Company and the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Thus, the committee has called for ‘Bharat’ to be used in textbooks across different grade levels.
The official use of the name ‘Bharat’ was evident when the government extended G20 invitations in the name of the ‘President of Bharat’ instead of ‘President of India.’ Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate during a summit in New Delhi bore the inscription ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India.’
Furthermore, the committee recommends replacing ‘ancient history’ with ‘classical history’ in the curriculum. The rationale behind this change is to provide a more comprehensive view of India’s historical development, encompassing not only the classical period but also the medieval and modern eras. The British colonial interpretation of Indian history divided it into three phases: ancient, medieval, and modern, often depicting India as being devoid of scientific knowledge and progress. However, notable achievements, such as Aryabhatta’s work on the solar system model, occurred during this era. The committee believes that students should learn about the classical period alongside the other historical phases.
The committee has also recommended highlighting “Hindu victories” in textbooks, pointing out that while failures are mentioned, victories over Mughals and Sultans are not adequately covered. CI Issac, a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), stressed the need to present a balanced historical narrative.
Additionally, the committee suggests incorporating the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into the curriculum across all subjects, emphasizing the rich indigenous knowledge of India.
These recommendations align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as the NCERT undertakes curriculum revisions. To finalize the curriculum, textbooks, and learning materials for various classes, the NCERT has established a 19-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC).
