The NCERT has overhauled the syllabus for class 7 textbooks emphasizing on Indian dynasties like Magadha, Mauryas, Sātavāhanas and Shungas.
The NCERT has removed all references to Mughals and Delhi Sultanate from the Class 7 school textbooks replacing it with chapters on Indian dynasties, sacred geography, references to Maha Kumbh and flagship government schemes like Make in India, and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. The move has come to align the curriculum in accordance with New National Education Policy and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.
The aim of the alteration is to incorporate Indian traditions and philosophies into the education system. The previous revision of syllabus was observed during the Covid-19 pandemic where detailed accounts of dynasties like Tughlaq, Khaljis, Lodhis and Mamluks and a two-page table on the Mughal emperors’ achievements were reduced.
“Exploring society: India and Beyond,” the social science textbook has incorporated new chapters emphasizing on Indian ethos and traditional Indian dynasties like Magadha, Mauryas, Sātavāhanas and Shungas.
In another addition, a new chapter was absorbed into the curriculum titled “How the land becomes sacred” covering the pilgrimage sites in India and abroad for various religions like Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
The Indian ethos are furthered through the concept of “sacred geography” which details the networks of the 12 jyotirlingas, the char dham yatra and the “Shakti pithas.”
The varna-jati system, the Maha Kumbh and the constitution of India were some of the other topics induced into the curriculum.
The NCERT has notified PTI that these changes were only for the first part of the book while the second part is awaited in the coming months.