Archive · 26 Jul 2025
NCERT Panel Head Defends New Social Science Textbook Approach
Imagine new history books for kids.
The head of the books, Michel Danino, says they give a big picture of India's history, not every small detail.
This is because they want students to remember the important things without getting overwhelmed.
He says the books focus on key ideas and events instead of making kids memorize lots of facts.
Some people have said things were left out, but Danino says the books are made differently, and it is impossible to cover everything.
NCERT panel head, Michel Danino, defends new social science textbooks.
The textbooks offer a broad survey of Indian civilization from prehistoric times to Independence.
Danino argues an in-depth historical treatment is impractical and undesirable.
The new approach emphasizes essential concepts and reduces data to avoid rote-learning.
The textbooks cover history, geography, political science, and economics in one book.
- Who
- Michel Danino, head of the NCERT's curricular area group.
- What
- NCERT panel head defends the approach taken in new social science textbooks.
- When
- Recently, in response to criticism of the new textbooks.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To address criticisms about the textbooks' scope and content.
Critics
NCERT
Scope of History
Critics
Some critics feel that specific historical events or rebellions should be included in the new textbooks.
NCERT
The new books offer a broad survey of the topic
- Textbook Focus
- Broad survey of Indian civilization
- Period Covered
- Prehistoric times to Independence
- Danino's Position
- Chairperson of the NCERT's curricular area group
- Approach to Syllabus
- Focus on essential principles, concepts, events, and developments
- Content Reduction
- Combines subjects into single volumes