NCERT forms new 20-member panel for senior political science textbooks, four members linked to RSS/BJP
NCERT has reconstituted a 20-person team to draft Class XI-XII political science textbooks, including four individuals with past RSS or BJP ties.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reorganised the committee tasked with creating political science textbooks for Classes XI and XII, establishing a 20-member Textbook Development Team made up of university professors, school teachers and NCERT personnel. Chaired by political analyst Sandeep Shastri, the team must complete the Class XI book by Nov 30 2026 and the Class XII book by July 30 2027 under the 2023 National Curriculum Framework.
Four members—former ABVP secretary Vandana Mishra, BJP consultant Yadunath Deshpande, Prashant Divekar of Jnana Prabodhini and Ravi Rameshchandra Shukla—have documented links to RSS- or BJP-affiliated groups. The remaining members represent institutions such as JNU, Delhi University, IGNOU, National Law University Delhi, Jindal Global Law School, Pondicherry University and Utkal University. NCERT says the reshuffle aims to strengthen and streamline textbook preparation, with the final material to be approved, published and distributed by the agency, covering themes like cultural rootedness, inclusion and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Why it matters
The panel's composition could shape the political content taught to senior school students across India.
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