5 Major Revisions in NCERT Textbooks Under the 2025 Curriculum Shift

As India’s school education system transitions under the National Council of Educational Research and Training reforms aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, NCERT has introduced major revisions to its textbooks for the 2025–26 academic session.

The changes aim to shift classroom learning away from rote memorisation towards competency-based, culturally rooted, and digitally enabled education.

Below are the five major revisions introduced in NCERT textbooks for 2025:

1. Competency-Based Textbooks for Key Grades

NCERT has rolled out redesigned textbooks for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8, adopting a competency-based learning model. The focus is on conceptual clarity, skill-building, and application-based understanding rather than memorising facts.

These textbooks are available in both print and digital formats, with free e-books accessible on the NCERT platform.

2. Content Redesign Across Subjects

The revised textbooks span subjects including Mathematics, Science, Languages, Social Sciences, Arts, and Vocational Education.

• Language and mathematics books now include updated examples rooted in contemporary contexts.

• Social Science textbooks follow a multidisciplinary approach, integrating history, geography, economics, and civics—particularly in Classes 7 and 8.

This marks a move away from content-heavy structures toward more balanced and engaging learning material.

3. Greater Emphasis on Indian Context and Heritage

History and social science content now places stronger emphasis on Indian cultural heritage, regional histories, and indigenous knowledge systems.

Chapters related to ancient Indian civilisation and local traditions have been expanded, while certain mediaeval-period topics, including parts of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal era, have been revised or removed in select grades to align with the updated curriculum framework.

4. Digital Integration and Interactive Learning

NCERT’s 2025 textbooks increasingly incorporate digital learning tools:

• QR codes linking to videos, interactive exercises, and government education portals

• Mobile-friendly digital PDFs for anytime access

These features encourage self-paced learning and deeper engagement beyond the printed page.

5. Phased Rollout and Future Expansion

While updated textbooks for Classes up to Grade 8 are already in circulation for 2025–26, NCERT plans to complete the rollout for Classes 9 to 12 by the 2026–27 academic year.

The Ministry of Education has also announced an expansion of NCERT’s printing capacity to ensure timely availability and reduce costs nationwide.

Why These Changes Matter

The 2025 NCERT textbook revisions reflect a structural transformation in Indian schooling. They align classroom teaching with NEP 2020 goals such as critical thinking, competency development, cultural relevance, and digital accessibility, laying the groundwork for long-term educational reform.

Students, parents, and teachers are advised to rely on the latest NCERT editions and official digital textbooks for academic preparation and classroom use.