The classrooms of India's future voters are being reshaped — one textbook at a time. NCERT has reconstituted the team that will write political science textbooks for Class 11 and 12, and the new panel's ideological composition is already drawing scrutiny.
Team rebuilt with a cultural rootedness mandate
According to the report, the NCERT's new textbook development team has been given a clear task: integrate cultural rootedness, Indian knowledge systems and inclusion into the senior school political science curriculum.
For context, NCERT — the National Council of Educational Research and Training — is the central body that develops curriculum materials used across India, including by CBSE schools and most state boards. Its textbooks effectively define how millions of students learn politics.
Four members with documented RSS or ABVP links
The report says at least four of the 20 members have direct or indirect documented backgrounds in the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) or the BJP.
ABVP is the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) family and has long been active in campus politics. The presence of members with such affiliations on a textbook panel has historically been a flashpoint in India's education debates.
Yadunath Deshpande, now a senior consultant with the Ministry of Education, is among the members named in the report.
Who is Sandeep Shastri, the new team lead?
The 20-member panel will be led by Sandeep Shastri, an academic and political analyst who serves as vice president of Nitte, a deemed university based in Karnataka.
Shastri is a recognised name in election studies and has been part of political science academia for years, giving the panel academic weight at the leadership level.
Why textbook teams matter beyond the classroom
Political science textbooks introduce students to democracy, citizenship, rights and the Indian Constitution. How these ideas are framed shapes how a generation understands the state and its institutions.
That is why changes in the team that writes these books — not just the final content — become a matter of public interest.
A tight timeline: November for Class 11, July for Class 12
According to the report, the team is tasked with developing the Class 11 textbook by November and the Class 12 textbook by July next year.
These are ambitious deadlines for curriculum work that typically involves multiple rounds of drafting, expert review and official approval.
Cultural rootedness vs academic neutrality: the core debate
Supporters of the shift argue that Indian knowledge systems and cultural rootedness have been under-represented in curriculum design, and that the new mandate corrects a long-standing imbalance.
Critics, however, see the inclusion of members with RSS or BJP backgrounds as a concern for academic neutrality. They worry that political science syllabi could be shaped to align with a particular ideological worldview rather than open scholarly inquiry.
Both positions are reported viewpoints in the debate — not settled conclusions.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear
Confirmed: NCERT has reconstituted the team. The stated mandate includes cultural rootedness, Indian knowledge systems and inclusion. Sandeep Shastri leads the panel. Deadlines are November for Class 11 and July next year for Class 12.
Reported: The claim that at least four members have RSS, ABVP or BJP links is based on documented backgrounds, as stated in the report. It is not an official NCERT classification or admission.
Unclear: How the mandate will translate into actual chapters, and whether the final textbooks will depart significantly from current editions.
What students, teachers and parents should watch for
Students using NCERT political science books should watch for changes in chapters on the Constitution, democracy, elections and India's political institutions when new editions arrive.
Teachers may need fresh orientation and training if the syllabus framing changes substantially. Parents and educators following the debate should track official NCERT announcements rather than unverified claims circulating online.
The larger pattern: school textbooks under revision
This reconstitution is not an isolated event. School textbook revision has been a recurring flashpoint in Indian education policy, with periodic debates over how history, civics and political science are presented.
The current mandate reflects a broader policy emphasis on Indian knowledge systems — a phrase that has gained significant traction in education policy circles in recent years.
Future outlook: What happens next
If the team meets its deadlines, new Class 11 political science textbooks could be in schools by the next academic session, with Class 12 following a year later.
Whether the books spark further controversy will depend on the actual content — and how closely it departs from existing editions.
Our Take
The composition of a textbook team matters, but the content of the textbook matters more. The real test for this panel will be whether it can deliver academically rigorous, politically neutral material while honouring the stated mandate of cultural rootedness.
For now, the debate tells us as much about India's polarised education discourse as it does about the textbooks themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has NCERT changed the political science textbook team?
According to the report, NCERT reconstituted the Class 11 and 12 political science textbook development team with a mandate to integrate cultural rootedness, Indian knowledge systems and inclusion into the curriculum. The change replaces the earlier panel that worked on these textbooks.
Who leads the new NCERT political science textbook team?
Sandeep Shastri, an academic and political analyst who is vice president of Nitte deemed university in Karnataka, leads the 20-member team. He is known for his work in election studies and political science academia.
When will the new Class 11 and 12 political science textbooks be ready?
As per the report, the team is tasked with developing the Class 11 textbook by November and the Class 12 textbook by July next year. Actual availability in schools will depend on the final approval and publication cycle.
What does "cultural rootedness" mean in the NCERT mandate?
Cultural rootedness refers to designing curriculum content that reflects Indian traditions, knowledge systems and cultural contexts. It has become a guiding principle in recent education policy discussions, including the team's mandate for the new political science textbooks.
Why are RSS or ABVP links in the textbook team a concern?
Critics worry that members affiliated with the RSS or ABVP may shape political science content to align with a specific ideological worldview, affecting academic neutrality. Supporters argue that the mandate simply corrects the under-representation of Indian knowledge systems. Both are positions in an ongoing debate, not confirmed outcomes.
