India’s school education system is once again in focus as news around NCERT textbook withdrawal and education policy updates trends across search engines. Students, parents, and teachers are looking for clear answers on syllabus changes, revised books, and how national education reforms will affect board exams and classroom learning in 2026.
The recent developments around textbook revisions by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the ongoing rollout of the National Education Policy are not routine changes. They affect millions of students across CBSE schools and many state boards that follow NCERT material.
Here is a detailed look at what has happened, why it matters, and what families should understand right now.
Why NCERT Textbook Withdrawal Is Making Headlines
NCERT textbooks are widely used in Central Board of Secondary Education schools and are also adopted by several state education boards. When NCERT updates or withdraws books, the impact is national in scale.
In recent years, NCERT has revised textbooks for Classes 6 to 12. Some chapters were removed as part of what officials described as syllabus rationalisation during and after the pandemic period. The stated aim was to reduce academic burden and avoid overlapping content.
The rationalisation process began during the COVID-19 disruption, when schools were closed and learning moved online. NCERT reduced certain portions across subjects such as history, political science, science, and mathematics. These changes were officially notified through revised textbooks and updated syllabus documents.
In the latest academic cycles, further updates have been made in line with the National Education Policy 2020 framework. Some older editions of textbooks have been withdrawn from circulation, and revised editions have been released.
For parents and students, this has created confusion about which edition to buy and whether removed chapters will be asked in exams.
What the National Education Policy Means for Textbooks
The changes are closely linked to the National Education Policy 2020, approved by the Government of India in July 2020. The policy proposes major structural reforms in school education, including a shift from the 10+2 structure to a 5+3+3+4 curriculum model.
Under this new framework, curriculum content is being redesigned to focus on critical thinking, skills, and conceptual clarity rather than rote learning. NCERT was tasked with preparing a new National Curriculum Framework in line with NEP 2020.
As part of this process, textbooks are being rewritten in phases. This includes:
Updated content aligned with new learning outcomes
Reduced content load in some classes
More focus on foundational literacy and numeracy
Greater emphasis on Indian knowledge systems and local context
These updates are not limited to one subject. They affect humanities, science, mathematics, and languages across multiple grades.
Are Chapters Permanently Removed? What Students Should Know
One of the biggest concerns among students is whether withdrawn chapters are permanently deleted or temporarily removed.
NCERT has clarified in previous official communications that rationalised content was removed to reduce academic stress and overlap. In some cases, revised editions were issued with streamlined chapters.
For board exam students, the key point is this: exams are based on the latest official syllabus released by CBSE or the respective board. If a chapter is not part of the notified syllabus for that academic year, it will not be asked in the exam.
Students preparing for Class 10 and Class 12 board exams should always download the latest syllabus from the official board website and cross-check with the most recent NCERT edition prescribed for that year.
Parents should also ensure that schools are following the current curriculum guidelines.
Impact on CBSE and Other Boards
CBSE follows NCERT textbooks closely. When NCERT updates books, CBSE aligns its syllabus and question papers accordingly.
State boards may or may not adopt the same changes immediately. Some states use NCERT books fully, while others use state-prepared textbooks but borrow content and structure from NCERT.
Therefore, families should not assume that all schools in India are affected in the same way. The impact depends on the board and the state education department’s decisions.
For competitive exams such as JEE and NEET, NCERT textbooks remain important reference material. However, these exams follow their own detailed syllabus notifications. Students preparing for these exams must verify the official syllabus issued by the National Testing Agency for the relevant year.
Textbook Availability and Supply Concerns
Another issue that frequently trends in searches is textbook availability. Whenever new editions are introduced, there can be temporary shortages in some regions.
NCERT distributes textbooks through online platforms and authorised vendors. In recent years, digital access has also expanded, allowing students to download PDF versions of books from official portals.
Parents are advised to buy books only after schools confirm the correct edition for the academic year. Purchasing older editions that have been withdrawn can lead to mismatch in chapters and page numbers.
School authorities usually inform parents before the start of the academic session about the prescribed books and editions.
How the Changes Affect Learning in Classrooms
The shift in textbook content is not only about removing or adding chapters. It reflects a broader change in teaching approach under the National Education Policy.
The new direction emphasises:
Understanding concepts rather than memorising facts
Integrating real-life examples into lessons
Encouraging project-based and experiential learning
Promoting multilingual education in early grades
Teachers are also undergoing training to adapt to revised curriculum frameworks. However, the pace of implementation varies across regions and schools.
In urban private schools, changes may be implemented faster due to better infrastructure and teacher training support. In rural and government schools, transition may take longer.
Concerns Raised by Parents and Educators
Whenever textbooks are revised, debates follow. Some parents worry about frequent changes and their effect on exam preparation. Others question whether removal of certain topics reduces academic depth.
Education experts have argued that reducing overload can help students focus better on core concepts. At the same time, they stress the importance of clarity and communication from authorities so that there is no confusion.
Transparency in syllabus updates and timely publication of revised books are critical for smooth implementation.
Digital Learning and the Future of NCERT Books
A major feature of current reforms is the push towards digital learning resources. NCERT has expanded access to e-books and digital platforms to make textbooks more widely available.
Students can now access many textbooks in PDF format through official portals. This is especially helpful in cases where printed copies are delayed.
Digital content also supports interactive learning. However, access to devices and internet connectivity remains uneven across the country. This digital divide continues to be a challenge in fully realising the goals of education reform.
What Students Preparing for Board Exams Should Do Now
Students in Classes 10 and 12 are advised to:
Follow only the officially released syllabus for the current academic year
Use the latest edition of NCERT textbooks prescribed by their school
Avoid relying on outdated guidebooks based on previous editions
Regularly check official notifications from their education board
Board exam question papers are strictly based on notified syllabus. Studying removed chapters can waste time during crucial preparation months.
Parents should also stay in touch with teachers and attend school briefings on curriculum changes.
The Road Ahead for Education Policy in India
The education reforms under NEP 2020 are being implemented in phases. Full transition to the new structure will take several years.
New curriculum frameworks are expected to continue shaping textbook content in the coming sessions. Changes will not happen overnight but will gradually reflect in classroom teaching, assessment patterns, and textbooks.
For now, the key message is clarity: students should follow the official syllabus of their board and the latest NCERT editions. Parents should avoid panic and rely on verified information from schools and official authorities.
The debate around NCERT textbook withdrawal and education policy changes highlights how deeply education matters to Indian families. With millions of students preparing for board exams and competitive tests each year, even small syllabus updates attract national attention.
As reforms continue, transparent communication and timely updates will remain essential. For students and parents searching for reliable answers, the most important step is to stay informed through official sources and focus on the prescribed curriculum for their academic year.
Education policy in India is evolving, but the goal remains the same: to create a system that supports learning, reduces unnecessary burden, and prepares students for the future.
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edited by D Rishidhar Reddy
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