NCERT Textbooks Revised: Mughal Empire, Delhi Sultanate Omitted; Focus Shifts to Ancient India and Cultural Events
New Delhi, 28th April 2025: In a significant NCERT textbook revision, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released updated Class 7 books, omitting references to the Mughal Empire and Delhi Sultanate. The new editions highlight ancient Indian dynasties, government initiatives, and cultural events such as the Maha Kumbh Mela.
The changes are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. However, they have sparked political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the government of “saffronising” education and erasing Islamic contributions.
The newly introduced social science textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, emphasizes dynasties such as Magadh, Maurya, Shunga, and Satavahana. It also incorporates contemporary government schemes like Make in India and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, alongside infrastructure projects including the Atal Tunnel.
A new chapter, How the Land Becomes Sacred, discusses major pilgrimage sites across different religions, featuring the 12 Jyotirlingas, Shakti Peethas, and Char Dham Yatra. The chapter includes a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru describing India as a “land of sacred sites.”
NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, who had earlier suggested that teaching about riots could promote “negative citizenship,” said the revisions are part of a phased curriculum update. Officials stated this is the first of two releases, with the second expected later this year. However, they did not clarify whether content on rulers such as the Tughlaq, Khilji, and Lodi dynasties—previously removed during the 2022–23 curriculum rationalization—would be restored.
In addition, the revised English textbook Puravi now features works by Indian authors like Rabindranath Tagore, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Ruskin Bond, with nine out of fifteen pieces rooted in Indian contexts. A chapter on the Constitution highlights the 2004 Supreme Court ruling affirming citizens’ right to hoist the national flag at home, linking it to freedom of expression.
Critics, including opposition leaders and academics, argue that the curriculum changes amount to a politically motivated revision of history. They also pointed out that while the textbook mentions the upcoming 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj—citing an expected participation of 66 crore devotees—it omits any reference to the 2013 stampede that killed 30 pilgrims.
As of now, NCERT has not responded to questions regarding the omissions or the broader criticisms surrounding the latest textbook updates.
