The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced significant changes to the Class XII political science textbook for the academic year 2024-25. Notably, the section on the Ayodhya dispute has been extensively revised to reflect contemporary developments and legal decisions.Purpose of revisionsNCERT undertakes periodic revisions of school textbooks to ensure that the content remains relevant and up-to-date. These revisions aim to align educational material with recent events and societal changes, providing students with accurate and comprehensive information.Politics in India since independenceThe revisions primarily impact Chapter 8 of the textbook, which covers key political developments in India since independence. The Ayodhya movement has historically been listed as one of the significant events shaping Indian politics.Changes in Ayodhya sectionThe revised chapter gives precedence to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, emphasizing the 2019 Supreme Court verdict allowing the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. References to the Babri Masjid demolition have been removed from several sections, reflecting the evolving narrative surrounding the dispute.Content modificationsSeveral modifications have been made to the content of the Ayodhya section, including the replacement of Babri Masjid references with a focus on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. These changes aim to provide students with a nuanced understanding of the political and social dynamics surrounding the Ayodhya dispute.Educational impactThe updated textbook content is expected to be introduced in classrooms within a month, providing students with updated and relevant information on key political events in Indias history. The revisions also aim to assist students in coping with learning disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.Continued efforts for curriculum improvementNCERTs ongoing efforts to revise and update school textbooks highlight the organizations commitment to providing quality education to millions of students across the country. The revisions aim to reduce the curriculum load and ensure that educational content remains accessible and meaningful to students.
